Building Technologies Program 1 eere.energy.gov

Public Service of Colorado Ponnequin Wind Farm

BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM

Automatic Commercial Ice Maker (ACIM) 

Test Procedure Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking (NOPR) 

Public Meeting

Charles Llenza

April 29, 2011

ACIM-2010-TP-0036@ee.doe.gov
Building Technologies Program 2 eere.energy.gov

Other Test Procedure Issues

Burden of Testing and Regulatory Review

Public Meeting Topics

4

5

2 Rulemaking History and Timelines

3 Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

1 Welcome, Introductions, and Opening Remarks

6 Closing Remarks, Contacts, and Information
Building Technologies Program 3 eere.energy.gov

• To present DOE’s proposed amendments to the automatic commercial ice maker 

(ACIM) test procedure.

• To discuss the notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) published in the Federal 

Register. 76 FR 18428 (April 4, 2011). 

• To answer questions and seek comments from participants about DOE’s 

proposals.

• Comments may be given during the public meeting and/or submitted after the 

public meeting in writing no later than June 3, 2011.

• Documents and materials from today’s public meeting will be available online:

https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/automatic_ice_making_equipment.html

Public Meeting Purpose

Welcome, Introductions, and

Opening Remarks
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• Meeting Agenda

• Introductions

• Role of the Facilitator

• Ground Rules 

– Listen as an ally

– Focus on the issues

– Use short, succinct statements/keep to the point

– One person speak at a time (raise hand to be recognized; state your 

name for the record)

– Hold sidebar conversations outside the room

– Set cell phones to silent/vibrate

• Housekeeping Items

Welcome, Introductions, and

Opening Remarks
Building Technologies Program 5 eere.energy.gov

Issue Box - In the test procedure NOPR for automatic 

commercial ice makers, DOE welcomes comment. 

Throughout this presentation, specific issues will be raised 

for discussion on slides such as this, with identifying 

numbers corresponding to those in the test procedure 

NOPR document. 

Request for Comment Format

Welcome, Introductions, and

Opening Remarks
Building Technologies Program 6 eere.energy.gov

At this time DOE welcomes opening remarks on the 

NOPR for the ACIM test procedure. 

Welcome, Introductions, and

Opening Remarks
Building Technologies Program 7 eere.energy.gov

Other Test Procedure Issues

Burden of Testing and Regulatory Review

Public Meeting Topics

4

5

2 Rulemaking History and Timelines

3 Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

1 Welcome, Introductions, and Opening Remarks 

6 Closing Remarks, Contacts, and Information
Building Technologies Program 8 eere.energy.gov

Rulemaking History and Timelines

• Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975 (Public Law 94-163) 

established the energy conservation program.

• Energy Policy Act (EPACT) 2005 amendment to EPCA:

– Prescribed standards for cube ice makers with capacities between 50 and 

2,500 lb per 24-hour period effective January 1, 2010. (42 U.S.C. 6313(d)(1))

– Authorized DOE to issue standards for types of automatic commercial ice 

makers that are not covered by 42 U.S.C. 6313(d)(1).

– Directed DOE to issue, by January 1, 2015, a final rule to determine whether 

amending the standards set by EPCA is technologically feasible and 

economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6313(d)(3)(A))

ACIM Standards Regulatory History
Building Technologies Program 9 eere.energy.gov

• DOE is undertaking a standards rulemaking to determine if amended standards 

are technically feasible and economically justified for automatic commercial 

ice makers that produce cube type ice with capacities between 50 and 2,500 lb 

of ice per 24 hours, for which standards were set in EPACT 2005 (docket 

number EERE-2010-BT-STD-0037).

• DOE is considering, under 42 U.S.C. 6313(d)(2), standards for:

– Batch type ice makers that produce cube type ice with capacities between 

2,500 and 4,000 lb of ice per 24 hours,

– Batch type ice makers that produce other than cube type ice with 

capacities between 50 and 4,000 lb of ice per 24 hours, and 

– Continuous type ice makers equipment with capacities between 50 and 

4,000 lb of ice per 24 hours.

Rulemaking History and Timelines

Ongoing Energy Conservation Standard Rulemaking
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Rulemaking History and Timelines

• EPCA, as amended, directs compliance with energy conservation standards 

using prescribed test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6291(6)(A)) 

– Test procedures for automatic commercial ice makers shall be the AirConditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) Standard 810-2003, 

“Performance Rating of Automatic Commercial Ice Makers.” (42 U.S.C. 

6314(a)(7)(A)) 

• Pursuant to EPCA, on December 8, 2006 DOE published a test procedure final 

rule that adopted ARI Standard 810-2003 as the DOE test procedure, and: 

– Referenced the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American 

Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 

Standard 29-1988 (RA 2005) as the method of test.

– Adopted a revised method for calculating the energy consumption rate. 

ACIM Test Procedure Regulatory History
Building Technologies Program 11 eere.energy.gov

Rulemaking History and Timelines

• EPCA states that:

– If ARI 810-2003 is revised the Secretary will amend the DOE test 

procedure, as necessary, to be consistent with the amended ARI Standard 

unless to do so would not meet the requirements for test procedures set 

forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(7)(B)) 

– At least once every 7 years DOE must conduct an evaluation of each class 

of covered equipment to determine whether to, among other things, 

amend the test procedures for such equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1))

– Test procedures shall be reasonably designed to reflect energy, or water, 

use during a representative cycle of use and shall not be overly 

burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(2))

Authority to Amend ACIM Test Procedure
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Rulemaking History and Timelines

• The energy conservation standard rulemaking is in the preliminary analysis 

stage and the results will be presented in a separate public meeting. 

Energy Conservation 

Standards (ECS)

Test Procedure (TP)

Framework

Document

Preliminary 

Analysis NOPR Final

Rule

NOPR Final 

Rule

ACIM Standard and Test Procedure Rulemakings Process
Building Technologies Program 13 eere.energy.gov

Rulemaking History and Timelines

2010

ECS Framework 

Document Public 

Meeting

December 16, 2010

ECS Preliminary 

Analysis

Public Meeting

Planned - Summer 2011

ECS NOPR

Public Meeting

Planned - Spring 2012

2012 2013 2014 2015

Proposed Energy 

Conservation 

Standard Final Rule 

Effective Date 

January 1, 2015

ACIM Rulemaking Timeline

TP NOPR 

Public Meeting

April 29, 2011

2011
Building Technologies Program 14 eere.energy.gov

Other Test Procedure Issues

Burden of Testing and Regulatory Review

Public Meeting Topics

4

5

2 Rulemaking History and Timelines 

3 Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

1 Welcome, Introductions, and Opening Remarks 

6 Closing Remarks, Contacts, and Information
Building Technologies Program 15 eere.energy.gov

DOE’s Proposed Amendments to the ACIM Test Procedure

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

1) Update the references to AHRI 810-2007 and ASHRAE Standard 29-2009.

2) Expand the scope of the test procedure to include batch type (including cube 

type) equipment with capacities from 50 to 4,000 lb of ice per 24 hours.

3) Provide test methods for continuous type ice makers with capacities from 50 

to 4,000 lb of ice per 24 hours. 

4) Normalize the measurement of energy and condenser water use for 

continuous type ice makers based on ice quality (i.e., hardness).

5) Clarify the test method and reporting requirements for remote condensing 

automatic commercial ice makers designed for connection to compressor 

racks.

6) Specify an optional test method for modulating capacity ice makers.

7) Discontinue the use of a clarified energy use rate calculation and instead 

calculate energy use per 100 lb of ice as specified in ASHRAE Standard 29-

2009.
Building Technologies Program 16 eere.energy.gov

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

ACIM Test Procedure Scope

Current Proposed

Automatic commercial ice 

makers that produce cube 

type ice with capacities 

between 50 and 2,500 lb per 

24 hours.

Batch type (including cube 

type) and continuous type ice 

makers with capacities 

between 50 and 4,000 lb per 

24 hours.
Building Technologies Program 17 eere.energy.gov

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Coordination with ACIM Energy Conservation Standard

• EPCA states that any rulemaking to amend a test procedure must 

determine to what extent, if any, the proposed test procedure would 

alter the measured energy or water use of a covered product. (42 

U.S.C. 6293(e)(1)) 
Building Technologies Program 18 eere.energy.gov

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Equipment

Type Test Procedure Amendments Measured energy or water use

Equipment 

with 

standards 

currently in 

place

• Update the referenced industry test procedures to their 

most current versions.

• Clarify the test method and reporting requirements for 

automatic commercial ice makers designed to be connected 

to a remote compressor rack.

• Discontinue the use of a clarified energy use rate equation.

Will not change 

measured 

energy or water 

consumption

Equipment 

for which 

standards 

are not 

currently in 

place

• Expand the scope of the test procedure to include batch 

type (including cube type) equipment with capacities from 

50 to 4,000 lb of ice per 24 hours.

• Provide test methods for continuous type ice makers with 

capacities from 50 to 4,000 lb of ice per 24 hours. 

• Standardize the measurement of energy and water use for 

continuous type ice makers with respect to ice quality. 

Does not impact 

standards that 

are currently in 

place but set 

testing 

requirements for 

additional 

equipment

Impact of DOE’s Test Procedure Amendments on 

ACIM Energy Conservation Standard
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Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

• EPCA provides that if ARI Standard 810-2003 is 

amended, the Secretary shall amend the DOE test 

procedure to be consistent, unless to do so would not 

meet the EPCA requirements for test procedures. 

(42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(7)(B))

• An updated AHRI test procedure has since been 

published – AHRI Standard 810-2007.

– AHRI Standard 810-2007 references the previous 

ASHRAE Standard 29-1988(RA 2005). 

– However, in 2009, ASHRAE also updated their test 

procedure to ASHRAE Standard 29-2009. 

Updated Industry Test Procedures
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• The new test procedure, AHRI Standard 810-2007, amends the previous test 

procedure, ARI Standard 810-2003, in several ways: 

• ASHRAE Standard 29-2009 also reflects these changes.

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

1 Expands the upper capacity range of covered equipment to 4,000 lb of 

ice per 24 hours at standard rating conditions. 

2 Provides definitions and specific test procedures for cube type and 

continuous type ice makers.

3

Provides a definition for ice hardness factor, which is a measure of ice 

quality or the percentage of solid ice (as opposed to liquid water 

content )in the ice product of continuous type ice machines. 

Changes to Industry Test Procedures
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• DOE proposes referencing AHRI Standard 810-2007 as the DOE test procedure 

with ASHRAE Standard 29-2009 as the referenced method of test.

• DOE proposes to increase the scope of equipment covered by the test 

procedure to include batch type and continuous type automatic commercial 

ice makers, regardless of ice type, with capacities between 50 and 4,000 lb per 

day. 

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Item 2 - DOE requests comment on updating the referenced industry test 

procedures to the most current versions and on increasing the scope of 

equipment covered by the DOE test procedure. 

Changes to DOE Test Procedure
Building Technologies Program 22 eere.energy.gov

• DOE recognizes that there are automatic ice makers sold for use in 

commercial applications with capacities larger than 4,000 lb of ice per 24 

hours. These machines:

– Represent less than 1 percent of the market.

– Are primarily marketed for industrial use.

• DOE proposes to expand the range of the DOE test procedure to automatic 

commercial ice makers with harvest rates between 50 and 4,000 lb of ice 

per 24 hours.

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Item 3 - DOE requests comment on expanding the capacity range from 50 

to 2,500 lb of ice per 24 hours to 50 to 4,000 lb of ice per 24 hours. 

Equipment with Capacities Greater than 4,000 lb per 24 hours 
Building Technologies Program 23 eere.energy.gov

• DOE proposes to:

– Reference the test procedures in AHRI Standard 810-2007 and ASHRAE Standard 

29-2009 as the test procedures for continuous type ice makers.

– Adopt definitions for continuous type and batch type ice makers.

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Include Test Methods for Continuous Type Ice Makers

Item 4 - DOE requests comment on providing test methods for continuous type ice makers.

Additional Item A – DOE requests comment on the proposed definitions for batch type and 

continuous type ice maker. 

Definitions:

Batch type ice maker means an ice maker having alternate freezing and harvesting periods. 

This includes automatic commercial ice makers that produce cube type ice, tube type 

automatic commercial ice makers, and other batch technologies. Also referred to as cube 

type ice maker in AHRI Standard 810-2007. AHRI Standard 810-2007’s definition clarifies 

that “cube” does not reference a specific size or shape and includes all automatic 

commercial ice makers with alternate freezing and harvesting periods. 

Continuous type ice maker means an ice maker that continuously freezes and harvests ice 

at the same time.
Building Technologies Program 24 eere.energy.gov

• Continuous type ice makers typically produce “ice” that is not completely frozen. 

– Fraction of completely frozen ice present in the total ice product quantified in 

terms of ice quality (also referred to as ice hardness).

• Ice quality is directly related to the measured energy and condenser water 

consumption of these machines.

– Requires more energy and condenser water to produce a given mass of 

completely frozen ice than flake or nugget ice with 70 to 85% solid ice 

content.

• DOE proposes to normalize the energy consumption and condenser water use of 

continuous type ice makers with respect to ice quality relative to the energy 

required to produce an equivalent mass of ice that is 32 °F with no liquid water 

content, starting with 70 °F water.

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Standardize Ice Quality for Continuous Type Ice Makers
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Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Procedure for Determining the Calorimeter Constant

1. Use Normative Annex A: “Method of Calorimetry,” in ASHRAE Standard 29-

2009.

– Sections A.1 and A.2 - Calibrate the calorimeter using completely frozen 

block ice.

• The calorimeter constant should not be greater than 1.02 in this step.

– Section A.3, “Procedure for Determining Ice Quality” - Determine the 

calorimeter constant using Table A1.

o heat content of solid 32 F ice Calorimeter constant = 

heat content of ice/water slurry

144 Btu/lb

1.0 for solid ice

>1.0 for ice with some liquid water content
Building Technologies Program 26 eere.energy.gov

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Determine the Ice Quality Adjustment Factor

Btu Btu 144 38 lb lb Ice Quality Adjustment Factor

Btu 144 lb Btu

38 lb calorimeter constant

 

 

+ =     +

   

Energy to cool water 

Latent heat capacity of solid 32 F ice from 70 F to 32 F

1.0 for solid ice

<1.0 for ice with some liquid water content

2. Use calorimeter constant to determine “Ice Quality Adjustment Factor.”
Building Technologies Program 27 eere.energy.gov

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Item 5 - DOE requests comment on the proposed method to 

normalize energy and condenser water consumption to 32 °F water 

with no water content for continuous type ice makers. 

Scale Energy and Water Use of Continuous Type Ice Makers

[ ]

[ ]

Energy Consumption kWh/100 lb ice

Ice Quality Adjustment Factor 

Measured Energy Consumption from AHRI 810-2007 kWh/100 lb ice 

=

×

3. Multiply energy or water use measured using AHRI Standard 810-2007 by “Ice 

Quality Adjustment Factor.”
Building Technologies Program 28 eere.energy.gov

• EPCA establishes energy conservation standards for two types of remote 

condensing automatic commercial ice makers: 

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Remote Condensing Automatic Commercial Ice Makers: Background

(1) Remote condensing 

(but not remote 

compressor) 

(2) Remote condensing and remote compressor

IMH &

compressor

Remote 

Condenser

IMH IMH

Remote 

Condensing Unit 

(compressor and 

condenser)

CRE

WICF

Remote 

Condensing

Rack

(group of 

compressors,

supplied by 

others)
Building Technologies Program 29 eere.energy.gov

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

• Inconsistency in reporting of energy use of remote condensing and remote 

compressor ice makers:

– Ice makers with dedicated remote condensing units report energy 

consumption of the total ice making machine, including the ice-making 

head (IMH), compressor, and condenser.

– Ice makers that are meant to be used with a remote compressor rack that 

could serve multiple appliances report only the energy use of the IMH. 

Remote Condensing Unit Testing Issue

DOE considered three potential options to address this issue:

1. A calculation method that applies a default factor to the IMH energy consumption 

that is representative of remote condenser and compressor rack energy use.

2. A measurement method that measures the energy use of a remote condensing ice 

maker with a designated remote condenser.

3. Continue to measure and report only energy consumed by the IMH without

measuring and reporting remote condenser or compressor energy use. 
Building Technologies Program 30 eere.energy.gov

• DOE proposes that all remote condensing and remote compressor ice makers 

be tested with a dedicated remote condensing unit and report the energy use 

of the ice making mechanism, the compressor, and the condenser.

• DOE believes this will:

– Adequately represent the energy consumption of this equipment without 

introducing undue burden for a very small equipment class. 

– Provide a straightforward and consistent way to compare the performance 

of remote condensing and remote compressor ice makers, both those sold 

with dedicated remote condensing units and those designed to be used 

with remote compressor rack systems. 

– Not add significant testing burden.

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Clarify Test Method and Reporting Requirements for Remote 

Condensing Automatic Commercial Ice Makers

Item 6 - DOE requests comment on the proposal to require testing of all 

remote condensing ice makers with a dedicated remote condensing unit and 

reporting of ice making mechanism, compressor, and condenser energy use. 
Building Technologies Program 31 eere.energy.gov

• While there are currently no commercialized multiple capacity products or 

prototypes available, an ice maker could be designed for multiple capacity 

levels.

– Using single compressor capable of variable capacities or using multiple 

compressors.

– This would be attractive since ice makers operate at full capacity for only a 

small portion of the time.

– Multiple capacity equipment could produce ice more efficiently at a lower 

capacity level because there would be more surface area available relative 

to the mass flow of refrigerant.

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Potential for Modulating Capacity Systems
Building Technologies Program 32 eere.energy.gov

• Multiple capacity systems can be rated under the current test procedure at 

their maximum capacity rating.

– Only testing at maximum capacity is required.

• DOE proposes new, optional test procedure for modulating capacity systems.

– Average test results at the maximum and minimum capacity settings.

– Provides opportunity for and incentivizes future development of such 

systems that could use this technology to obtain a higher efficiency rating.

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Item 7 - DOE requests comment on the proposal to allow for an optional 

test procedure for modulating capacity automatic commercial ice makers. 

Specifically, DOE requests comment on the weighting of the energy 

consumption at the minimum and maximum capacity settings. 

Proposed Test Method for Modulating Capacity Systems
Building Technologies Program 33 eere.energy.gov

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Discontinue the Use of a Clarified Energy Rate Equation

Energy Consumed During Testing (kWh) Energy Consumption Rate (per 100 lbs ice) = 100%

Mass of Ice Collected During Testing (lbs)

×

• The current DOE test procedure includes a clarified calculation for determining 

the energy consumption rate, normalized to 100 lb of ice.

• Presented because DOE felt the calculation normalization of energy 

consumption rate per 100 lb of ice presented in ASHRAE Standard 29-

188(RA2005) left room for misinterpretation.

• ASHRAE Standard 29-1988(RA2005) specifies energy consumption be 

calculated as follows:

8.4a kWh /100 lb ice 100 8.2a = ×

Energy consumption

Power input in kWh

Weight in lb of each intercepted ice sample
Building Technologies Program 34 eere.energy.gov

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Item 8 - DOE requests comment on its proposal to incorporate AHRI 

Standard 810-2007, with reference to ASHRAE Standard 29-2009, as the 

method of test, without specification or clarification of the calculation for 

energy consumption rate. 

Discontinue the Use of a Clarified Energy Rate Equation

• The calculation in ASHRAE Standard 29-2009 did not change between the 1988 

and 2009 versions; however, DOE proposes to remove the clarification for the 

calculation of energy consumption rate in this rulemaking.

– DOE has reexamined the energy consumption rate calculations contained 

in the ASHRAE Standard 29-2009 test procedures and concluded that the 

procedure is clear and no ambiguity exists.

– This method may show more consistency in the average energy use rate 

calculation and is typically used in industry today. 
Building Technologies Program 35 eere.energy.gov

Other Test Procedure Issues

Burden of Testing and Regulatory Review

Public Meeting Topics

4

5

2 Rulemaking History and Timelines 

3 Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

1 Welcome, Introductions, and Opening Remarks 

6 Closing Remarks, Contacts, and Information
Building Technologies Program 36 eere.energy.gov

• Other types of automatic commercial ice 

makers use a batch process to produce cube, 

cracked, or fragmented ice. 

• Manufacturers are currently using the 

AHRI 810-2007 test procedure for non-cube 

batch type ice machines.

• DOE proposes to clarify in the DOE test 

procedure that tube, cracked, and other batch 

technologies will be covered by the proposed 

DOE test procedures and should be tested 

with the batch type test method.

Other Test Procedure Issues

Treatment of Other Batch Type Ice Machines

Non-cube batch type ice machine

Additional Item B - DOE requests comment on its proposal to test all batch 

type ice makers using the batch type test method. 
Building Technologies Program 37 eere.energy.gov

• The current test procedure does not account for all energy consuming phases 

of operation.

– Non-ice-making periods not accounted for.

– Although DOE is not required to quantify auxiliary energy use, a 

measurement of electrical consumption during non-ice-making periods 

could be incorporated into the test procedure.

• DOE found energy use due to controls and electrical sensors during non-icemaking periods contributed 1 percent or less to the total energy consumption 

of the ice maker.

• Given the small magnitude of this energy use, DOE believes quantification of 

auxiliary energy use during non-ice-making periods is not justified.

Other Test Procedure Issues

Item 9 - DOE requests comment on its determination that an additional test 

procedure to quantify auxiliary energy use during non-ice-making periods is not 

justified.

Quantification of Auxiliary Energy Use
Building Technologies Program 38 eere.energy.gov

• AHRI Standard 820-2000, “Ice Storage Bins,” describes a test method for 

quantifying the effectiveness of ice storage bins.

• Storage bin effectiveness is currently quantified in the Canadian and Australian 

standards and test procedures for automatic commercial ice makers.

• Ice meltage in storage bins could represent 10 percent or more additional ice 

production per 24 hours.

– Ice meltage causes equivalent additional energy consumption and 

condenser water use for a given demand.

Other Test Procedure Issues

Measurement of Storage Bin Effectiveness

Definition:

Storage bin effectiveness is a theoretical expression of the fraction of ice that 

under specific rating conditions would be expected to remain in the ice storage 

bin 24 hours after it is produced.
Building Technologies Program 39 eere.energy.gov

• Measurement of storage bin effectiveness would cause:

– Inconsistency between energy conservation standards for self-contained 

and remote condensing ice makers or ice-making heads.

– Increased burden for manufacturers of self-contained units. 

• DOE will not include a quantification of meltage in the storage bin at this time.

Other Test Procedure Issues

Measurement of Storage Bin Effectiveness

Item 10 - DOE requests comments or data related to the impact of storage bin 

effectiveness on the energy and water consumption of automatic commercial ice 

makers. Specifically, DOE requests comment on the appropriate test method and 

metric for storage bin effectiveness and the burden associated with adopting 

such a test method. 
Building Technologies Program 40 eere.energy.gov

• Current DOE test procedure requires reporting of condenser water use only.

• At the Framework Document public meeting, DOE considered adding a method 

to calculate the total water use of automatic commercial ice makers.

• EPCA prescribes standards for condenser water use in cube type ice makers 

and explicitly states that condenser water use does not include potable water 

used to make ice. (42 U.S.C. 6313(d)(1))

• DOE is not including a measurement for potable water in the proposed 

amendment to the test procedure.

Other Test Procedure Issues

Item 11 - DOE requests comment on not including potable water use in 

making ice.

Establishment of a Metric of Potable Water Used in Making Ice
Building Technologies Program 41 eere.energy.gov

• DOE understands that water hardness may affect the energy consumption and 

ice quality of a given automatic commercial ice maker but believes that there is 

still uncertainty in the causal relationship between water hardness (total 

dissolved solids and ion concentration) and ice maker performance. 

• Specifying an appropriate standardized water hardness for use in a test 

procedure would:

– Increase the testing burden for manufacturers. 

– Require additional data or information regarding:

(1) The relationship between total dissolved solids, ion concentration, and energy 

and water use. 

(2) The magnitude of these effects. 

(3) Specific testing methodologies that would produce repeatable results.

• DOE proposes not to address water hardness in this test procedure.

Other Test Procedure Issues

Item 12 - DOE requests additional data that would support evaluation of the 

need for a standardized water hardness test.

Standardization of Water Hardness
Building Technologies Program 42 eere.energy.gov

• Both AHRI 810-2007 and ASHRAE Standard 29-2009 require that the ice makers 

be set up pursuant to a manufacturer’s instruction.

– May not capture the maximum potable water consumption of the unit. 

• DOE does not believe it is justified to require testing of automatic commercial 

ice makers at the highest purge setting. 

– Potable water used in making ice not regulated. 

– No data to validate nor authority to regulate how ice makers are installed.

• DOE will not require testing of ice makers at the highest purge setting, but will 

continue to investigate this issue by gathering data related to national water 

hardness, the difference between manufacturer specified and maximum purge 

settings, and the way ice makers are typically installed in the field.

Other Test Procedure Issues

Item 13 - DOE requests comment on testing units at the highest water 

consumption purge setting. Specifically, DOE requests comment on the difference 

in energy and water consumption when tested at the maximum purge setting 

versus testing at settings specified by the manufacturer. 

Test Batch Type Ice Makers at the Highest Purge Setting
Building Technologies Program 43 eere.energy.gov

Other Test Procedure Issues

Burden of Testing and Regulatory Review

Closing Remarks, Contacts, and Information

Public Meeting Topics

4

5

6

2 Rulemaking History and Timelines 

3 Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

1 Welcome, Introductions, and Opening Remarks 
Building Technologies Program 44 eere.energy.gov

Burden of Testing and 

Regulatory Review

• DOE used the Small Business Administration (SBA) definition of small entities:

– Automatic commercial ice maker manufacturers are included in NAICS 

333415, “Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and 

Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing.”

– The SBA standard for small entities in this industry description is less than 

750 employees.

• DOE found eight manufacturers of automatic commercial ice makers that 

qualify as small businesses.

DOE must determine whether the rule would result in a 

significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. 

Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
Building Technologies Program 45 eere.energy.gov

Burden of Testing and 

Regulatory Review

ACIM Test Procedure Scope

Current Proposed

Automatic commercial ice 

makers that produce cube 

type ice with capacities 

between 50 and 2,500 lb per 

24 hours.

Batch type (including cube 

type) and continuous type ice 

makers with capacities 

between 50 and 4,000 lb per 

24 hours.
Building Technologies Program 46 eere.energy.gov

Burden of Testing and 

Regulatory Review

Assessment of Burden

New Test Requirements for: Incremental Testing Burden

Batch type ice makers that produce 

cube type ice with capacities between 

2,500 and 4,000 lb of ice per 24 hours 

– Performing AHRI Standard 810-2007 

test.

– Equivalent to current burden for 

automatic ice makers that are 

currently covered by the test 

procedure.

Batch type ice makers that produce 

other than cube type ice with 

capacities between 50 and 4,000 lb of 

ice per 24 hours

Continuous type ice makers with 

capacities between 50 and 4,000 lb of 

ice per 24 hours

– Performing AHRI Standard 810-2007 

test and standardization of ice 

quality test.
Building Technologies Program 47 eere.energy.gov

• Number of ice makers subject to new testing requirements.

– 30 models will be subject to new testing requirements.

– Each company would introduce a new base model in each year (total of 8 

new models for testing) during a 5-year (2015–2019) analysis time 

horizon. 

• Costs associated with testing.

– Cost of testing estimated as $5,000 to $7,500 (low-end and high-end).

– Additional review and filing costs estimated as 2 hours of an engineer’s 

time to communicate with the testing laboratory, review test results, 

prepare adequate documentation, and file the report.

– Annual costs are discounted using a 7-percent real discount rate, as 

recommended in OMB Circular A-94. 

Burden of Testing and

Regulatory Review

Potential Burden Due to Performing AHRI Standard 810-2007
Building Technologies Program 48 eere.energy.gov

• Number of continuous type ice makers.

– DOE estimates that 28 percent of all automatic commercial ice makers 

would be subject to this additional test procedure.

• Costs associated with ice quality test.

– DOE estimates that performing this test will require 2 additional hours of 

laboratory time, including time to perform necessary calculations, per unit. 

– DOE estimates costs associated with the calorimetry test to be 

approximately 10 percent of the AHRI 810 test, or $500 to $740. 

– These costs would not include those associated with transportation, 

assuming that the unit would be analyzed at the same time as the required 

AHRI 810 test. 

– Annual costs are discounted using a 7-percent real discount rate, as 

recommended in OMB Circular A-94. 

Burden of Testing and 

Regulatory Review

Potential Burden Due to Ice Quality Test
Building Technologies Program 49 eere.energy.gov

Burden of Testing and 

Regulatory Review

Aggregated Estimated Annual Costs of Compliance for 

Small Businesses (2015–2019)

Year

Testing Costs Review/ 

Filing 

Costs

Total Costs Discounted Costs

Low End High End Low End High End Low End High End

2015 $154,200 $228,216 $2,490 $156,690 $230,706 $119,538 $176,005

2016 $41,120 $60,858 $664 $41,784 $61,522 $29,791 $43,864

2017 $41,120 $60,858 $664 $41,784 $61,522 $27,843 $40,995

2018 $41,120 $60,858 $664 $41,784 $61,522 $26,021 $38,313

2019 $41,120 $60,858 $664 $41,784 $61,522 $24,319 $35,806

Totals $318,680 $471,646 $5,147 $323,827 $476,793 $227,512 $334,982

Average Cost per Small Business Over 5 Year Period $28,439 $41,873

Item 14 - DOE seeks comment on its estimated additional cost of testing due to the 

new requirements for testing presented in this NOPR. Specifically, DOE seeks 

comment on the impacts of the additional cost of testing on small manufacturers. 
Building Technologies Program 50 eere.energy.gov

Burden of Testing and 

Regulatory Review

Significance of Impact on Small Businesses

• DOE determined the significance of the testing burden by comparing the 

incremental costs of performing the proposed test procedure to the net profits 

of small manufacturers. 

– The average industry net profit margin was estimated at 7.74 percent.

– Total increase in testing burden amounts to approximately 0.8 percent or 

1.2 percent of net profits for low- and high-end cost estimates, respectively. 

• DOE has determined that the proposed testing procedure amendments would 

not have a “significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 

entities,” and the preparation of a regulatory flexibility analysis is not 

warranted. 

Item 15 - DOE seeks comment on its reasoning that the proposed test 

procedure changes would not have a significant impact on a substantial 

number of small entities.
Building Technologies Program 51 eere.energy.gov

Proposed Test Procedure Amendments

Burden of Testing and Regulatory Review

Closing Remarks, Contacts, and Information

Public Meeting Topics

4

5

6

2 Rulemaking History and Timelines 

3 Test Procedure Rulemaking Scope

1 Welcome, Introductions, and Opening Remarks 
Building Technologies Program 52 eere.energy.gov

Closing Remarks, Contacts, and 

Information

At this time DOE welcomes any closing remarks 

from interested parties.
Building Technologies Program 53 eere.energy.gov

Closing Remarks, Contacts, and 

Information

Please reference all correspondence for this rulemaking with the following information:

– Title: Automatic Commercial Ice Maker Rulemaking

– Docket Number: EERE-2010-BT-TP-0036, and

– Regulatory Identification Number: RIN 1904-AC38

Email: ACIM-2010-TP-0036@ee.doe.gov

Postal Mail: Hand Delivery or Courier:

Ms. Brenda Edwards

U.S. Department of Energy

Building Technologies Program

Mailstop: EE-2J, Room 1J-018

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20585-0121

Ms. Brenda Edwards

U.S. Department of Energy

Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor

950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW

Washington, DC 20024

Tel: 202-586-2945

Comment period ends June 3, 2011

ACIM TP Comment Submittal Information
Building Technologies Program 54 eere.energy.gov

Closing Remarks, Contacts, and 

Information

• DOE Appliance Standards

– http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/

• Automatic Commercial Ice Maker Rule

– https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/autom

atic_ice_making_equipment.html

• Contact Charles Llenza, Project Manager, from the Appliance Standards Program for 

additional information: 

– Charles.Llenza@ee.doe.gov

– 202.586.2192

• Contact John Cymbalsky, Supervisor, from the Appliance Standards Program for 

additional information: 

– John.Cymbalsky@ee.doe.gov

– 202.287.1692

ACIM TP WebPages and DOE Contacts
Building Technologies Program 55 eere.energy.gov

Backup Slides
Building Technologies Program 56 eere.energy.gov

Back Up Slides

Definitions

• Section 136(a)(4) of EPACT 2005 defines “automatic 

commercial ice maker” as:

– [A] factory-made assembly (not necessarily shipped in one package) 

that –

• (A) consists of a condensing unit and ice-making section operating as an 

integrated unit, with means for making and harvesting ice; and

• (B) may include means for storing ice, dispensing ice, or storing and 

dispensing ice.
Building Technologies Program 57 eere.energy.gov

• ECS – Energy Conservation Standard.

• Ice Making Head (IMH): A model with the ice-making mechanism and the 

condensing unit in a single package, but with a separate ice storage bin.

• Remote Condensing Unit (RCU) or Split System Unit: A model in which the icemaking mechanism and condenser or condensing unit are in separate sections.

• Self-Contained (SCU): A model in which the ice-making mechanism and storage 

compartment are in an integral cabinet.

• Cubed: Cubed ice machines have an alternate freezing and harvesting period. 

Water is circulated over an evaporator where it freezes until cubes are fully 

formed. The cubed ice is then harvested and moved to storage. The ice may be in 

cube shape, or in a variation of a solid shape.

• Flake: Flake ice machines produce ice continuously, usually in a barrel-shaped 

evaporator. An auger inside the evaporator scrapes ice off the sides into a storage 

bin.

• Nugget: Nugget ice machines use the same process as flake machines but 

compress the ice flakes into nuggets.

Back Up Slides

Definitions (cont.)
Building Technologies Program 58 eere.energy.gov

Back Up Slides

Prescribed Standards

• EPCA, as amended by EPACT 2005, prescribed standards for automatic 

commercial ice-makers, effective January 1, 2010. 42 U.S.C. 6313(d)

Equipment Type* Type of 

Cooling

Harvest Rate

lb ice/24 hours

Maximum Energy Use

kWh/100 lb ice

Maximum Condenser 

Water Use--gal/100 lb 

ice

Ice-Making Head

Water

<500 7.80 - 0.0055Hb 200 - 0.022H

≥500 and <1,436 5.58 - 0.0011H 200 - 0.022H

≥1,436 4.0 200 - 0.022H

Air

<450 10.26 - 0.0086H N/A

≥450 6.89 - 0.0011H N/A

Remote Condensing 

(but not remote 

compressor)

Air

<1,000 8.85 - 0.0038H N/A

≥1,000 5.10 N/A

Remote Condensing and 

Remote Compressor Air

<934 8.85 - 0.0038H N/A

≥934 5.3 N/A

Self-Contained

Water <200 11.40 - 0.019H 191 - 0.0315H

≥200 7.60 191 - 0.0315H

Air <175 18.0 - 0.069H N/A

≥175 9.80 N/A

*Applicable to cube machines only
Building Technologies Program 59 eere.energy.gov

Back Up Slides

Certification, Compliance & Enforcement

• Current effective date for compliance with certification provisions is July 5, 

2011.

• Only electronic submission accepted. Submit online at 

https://www.regulations.doe.gov/ccms.

• Use product-specific, Excel templates provided by DOE.

• Submit certification report before distribution in commerce for all new 

models.

• Annual submittal of carry-over products on or before the 1st of the month 

specified in the annual certification table (429.12(d)).

• No additional certification testing required for annual submission.

• Recertify if the redesign of an existing model increases energy 

consumption resulting in re-rating.

Certification Requirements
Building Technologies Program 60 eere.energy.gov

Request for Information 

on Alternative Methods 

of Determining 

Efficiency Issued April 8, 

2011

DOE seeks comment and data:

• Current procedures used by industry to rate lowvolume, custom built commercial equipment;

• Current applications of DOE’s AEDM/ARM 

procedures;

• Products to which AEDM/ARM should apply;

• Data to demonstrate ability of AEDM/ARM to 

estimate energy efficiency/consumption; and

• Procedures governing substantiation and verification 

of AEDMs and ARMs.

Back Up Slides

Certification, Compliance & Enforcement

New Initiatives
Building Technologies Program 61 eere.energy.gov

Back Up Slides

Certification, Compliance & Enforcement

Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking on the 

Compliance Date for 

Certification Provisions 

Applicable to Certain 

Types of Commercial 

Equipment Issued April 

12, 2011

DOE seeks comment and data:

• Proposed a tentative 18-month compliance date 

extension for the certification provisions for 

commercial refrigeration equipment; commercial 

heating, ventilating, air-conditioning (HVAC) 

equipment; commercial water-heating equipment; 

walk-in coolers; walk-in freezers; and automatic 

commercial ice-making equipment;

• Considering extending the compliance date for other 

commercial equipment based on comments and data; 

and

• Considering longer/shorter date extension based on 

comments and data.

New Initiatives (cont.)
Building Technologies Program 62 eere.energy.gov

Back Up Slides

Certification, Compliance & Enforcement

Submit a Question: • DOE Test Procedure Website:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/guidance/default.aspx?pid=2&spid=1

• Ashley Armstrong: Ashley.Armstrong@EE.Doe.Gov

Request a Test Procedure 

Waiver:

• DOE’s regulations allow manufacturers to apply for a waiver when a 

manufacturer determines that a given basic model contains one or more 

design features that prevent testing in accordance with DOE’s test 

procedure. 

• Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@ee.doe.gov 

File a Complaint: Email: energyefficiencyenforcement@hq.doe.gov.

The Office of Enforcement will protect the identity of complainants to the 

maximum extent permitted by law. 

DOE’s Certification, 

Compliance, and 

Enforcement Website: 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/certification_e

nforcement.html

DOE’s Online Certification 

System:

https://www.regulations.doe.gov/ccms/ 

Enforcement Information: http://gc.doe.gov/energy_efficiency_enforcement.htm 

Questions & Information
Building Technologies Program 63 eere.energy.gov

Backup Slides

Interpretation of Calculation of Energy Consumption Rate

for i=1 to 3:

Power input during period i (kWh) Energy Use Rate (kWh/100 lb ice) = Mass of ice collected in period i (lb of ice) i

• DOE believes ASHRAE Standard 29-2009 directs that the energy consumption 

rate be calculated for each of the three periods specified in the test method as 

the power consumption for that period divided by the mass of ice collected in 

that period, as shown below.

3

i 1

Power input during period i(kWh)

Mass of ice collected in period i(lb of ice) Energy Use Rate(kWh /100 lb ice) 100

3

=

      = ×

∑
Building Technologies Program 64 eere.energy.gov

Requests for Comment in TP NOPR

Item 1 - DOE requests comment on its determination that the proposed test procedure amendments will 

not affect the measured energy or water consumption of automatic commercial ice makers that are 

currently covered under energy conservation standards. DOE also requests comment on the 

proposal that the use of the amended test procedure be required upon the effective date of any 

test procedure final rule, 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. 

Item 2 - DOE requests comment on updating the referenced industry test procedures to the most current 

versions. 

Item 3 - DOE requests comment on expanding the capacity range from 50 to 2,500 pounds of ice per 24 

hours to 50 to 4,000 pounds of ice per 24 hours. 

Item 4 - DOE requests comment on providing test methods for continuous type ice makers. 

Item 5 - DOE requests comment on the proposed method to normalize energy and condenser water 

consumption to 32 °F water with no water content for continuous type ice makers. 

Item 6 - DOE requests comment on the proposal to require testing of all remote condensing ice makers with 

a dedicated remote condensing unit and reporting of ice-making mechanism, compressor, and 

condenser energy use. 

Item 7 - DOE requests comment on the proposal to allow for optional test procedure for modulating 

capacity automatic commercial ice makers. Specifically, DOE requests comment on the weighting of 

the energy consumption at the minimum and maximum capacity settings. 

Item 8 - DOE requests comment on its proposal to incorporate AHRI Standard 810-2007, with reference to 

ASHRAE Standard 29-2009 as the method of test, without specification or clarification of the 

calculation for energy consumption rate.
Building Technologies Program 65 eere.energy.gov

Requests for Comment in TP NOPR

Item 9 - DOE requests comment on its determination that an additional test procedure to quantify 

auxiliary energy use during non-ice-making periods is not justified. 

Item 10 - DOE requests comments or data related to the impact of storage bin effectiveness on the energy 

and water consumption of automatic commercial ice makers. Specifically, DOE requests comment 

on the appropriate test method and metric for storage bin effectiveness and the burden 

associated with adopting such a test method. 

Item 11 - DOE requests comment on not including potable water use in making ice.

Item 12 - DOE requests additional data that would support evaluation of the need for a standardized water 

hardness test. 

Item 13 - DOE requests comment on testing units at the highest water consumption purge setting. 

Specifically, DOE requests comment on the difference in energy and water consumption when 

tested at the maximum purge setting versus as specified by the manufacturer. 

Item 14 - DOE seeks comment on its estimated additional cost of testing due to the new requirements for 

testing presented in this NOPR. Specifically, DOE seeks comment on the impacts of the additional 

cost of testing on small manufacturers. 

Item 15 - DOE seeks comment on its reasoning that the proposed test procedure changes would not have a 

significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Building Technologies Program 66 eere.energy.gov

Additional Requests for Comment

Additional Item A - DOE requests comment on the proposed definitions for 

batch type and continuous type ice maker. 

Additional Item B – DOE requests comment on its proposal to test all batch 

type ice makers using the batch type test method.