### Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 178 /Thursday, - September 15, 1994 / Notices 47317

Mail Stop EE-43, Room 5E-066, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.+, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-7140. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cyrus H. Nasseri, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-431, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586- 9138 

### Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General Counsel, Mail Station GC-72, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9507 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products (other than automobiles) was established pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation 

### Office of Energy Efficiency and Act (EPCA), Public Law 94-163, 89 Stat. Renewable Energy 917, as amended by the National Energy [Case No . F-0751 . Conservation Policy Act (NECPA), Public Law 95-619. 92 Stat. 3266, the Energy Conservation Program for National Appliance Energy Consumer Products: Granting of the Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA), Application for Interim Waiver and Public Law 100-12, the National Publishing of the Petitlon*for Waiver of Appliance Energy Conservation DOE Furnace Test Procedures From Amendments of 1988 (NAECA 1988), Rheem Manufacturing Company Public Law 100-357, and the Energy AGENCY : Office of Energy Efficiency and Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), Public Law Renewable

Office 102-486,106 Stat. 2776, which requires 

### Energy. DOE to prescribe standardized test ACTION:. Notice. procedures to measure the energy SUMMARY : Today's notice publishes a letter granting an Interim Waiver to Rheem Manufacturing Company (Rheem) from the existing Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure . regarding blower time delay for the company's GRA upflow, and GSA downflow condensing gas furnaces. Today's notice also publishes a "Petition for Waiver" from Rheem. Rheem's Petition for Waiver requests DOE to grant relief from the DOE furnace test procedure relating to the blower time delay specification. Rheem seeks to test using a blower delay time of 20 seconds for its GRA upflow, and GSA downflow condensing gas furnaces instead of the specified 1.5-minute delay between burner on-time and blower on-time. The Department is soliciting comments, data, and information respecting the Petition for Waiver. DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information not later than October 17,1994. ADDRESSES : Written comments and statements shall be sent to: Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Case No. F-075, 

### consumption of certain consumer products, including furnaces. The intent of the test procedures is to provide a comparable measure of energy consumption that will assist consumers in making purchasing decisions. These test procedures appear at 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B. The Department amended the prescribed test procedures by adding 10 CFR 430.27 on September 26, 1980, creating the waiver process. 45 FR 84108. Thereafter, DOE further amended the appliance test procedure waiver process to allow the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Assistant Secretary) to grant an Interim Waiver from test procedure requirements to manufacturers that have petitioned DOE for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures. 51 FR 42823. November 26, 1986. 

### The waiver process allows the Assistant Secretary to waive temporarily, test procedures for a particular basic model when a petitioner shows that the basic model contains one or more design characteristics which prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedures, or when the prescribed test procedures may evaluate

### 47318 Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 178 / Thursday, September 15, 1994 / Notices

the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data

. Waivers generally remain in effect until final test procedure amendments become effective; resolving the problem that is the subject of the waiver. The Interim Waiver provisions added by the 1986 amendment allow the Secretary to grant an Interim Waiver when it is determined that the applicant will experience economic hardship if the Application for Interim Waiver is denied, if it appears likely that the Petition for Waiver will be granted, and/ or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a determination on the Petition for Waiver

. An Interim Waiver remains in effect for a period of 180 days or until DOE'issues its determination on the Petition for Waiver, whichever is

sooner, and may be extended for an additional 180 days, if necessry. On July 15

. 1994 , Rheem Filaed an Application for Interim Waiver and a Petition for Waiver regarding blower time delay. Rheem 's Application seeks an Interim Waiver from the DOE test provisions that require a 1.5-minute time delay between the ignition of the burner. and starting of the circulating air blower. Instead, Rheem requests the allowance to test using a 20-second blower time delay when testing its GRA upflow, and GSA downflow condensing gas furnaces

. Rheem states that the 20- second delay is indicative of how these furnaces actually operate. Such a delay results in an average of approximately $.0 percent improvement in energy efficiency

. Since current DOE test procedures do not address this variable blower time delay , Rheem asks that the Interim Waiver be granted. 

### Rheem 's Petition for Waiver also requests DOE to grant relief from the DOE furnace test procedure relating to the above specification. The Department has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on August 23 , 1993 , (58 FR 44583) to amend the furnace test procedure, which addresses the above issue. Previous waivers for this type of time blower delay control have been granted by DOE to Coleman Company, 50 FR 2710, January 18 , 1985 ; Magic Chef Company, 50 FR 41553 , October 11, 1985 ; Rheem Manufacturing Company, 53 FR 48574, December 1, 1988, 56 FR 2920, January 25 , 1991 , 57 FR 10166, March 24 , 1992 , 57 FR 34560 , August 5, 1992, and 59 FR 30577 , June 14, 1994; Trane Company , 54 FR 19226, May 4, 1989 , 56 FR 6021 , February 14, 1991, 57 FR 10167 , March 24 , 1992 , 57 FR 22222 , comments , data, and information May 27 , 1992 , and 58 PR 68138 , respecting the petition. December 23, 1993 ; Lennox Industries , Issued in Washington , DC September 7, 55 FR 50224 , December 5, 1990 , 57 FR 1994. 49700, November 3, 1992 , 58 FR 68136 , Christine A. Ervin, December 23, 1993 , and 58 FR 68137 , Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. December 23, 1993 ; Inter-City

.Products Corporation , 55 FR 51487, December 14, September 8, 1994. 1990 , and 56 FR 63945 , December 6,- Mr. Daniel J. Canclini, 1991 ; DMO Industries , 56 FR 4622 , Vice President-Product Development and February 5, 1991 , and 59 FR 30579 , June Research Engineering, Rheem 14, 1994 ; Heil-Quaker Corporation , 56 Manufacturing Company, P.O. Box FR 6019, February 14, 1991; Carrier 17010, Fort Smith, AR 72927 7010. Corporation , 56 FR 6018 , February 14 , Dear Mr

. 15, 199ni : This is in response to your 1991 , 57 FR 38830 , August 27, 1992 , 58 July 4 , Application the and e99 d Petition for r Waiver from the FR 68131 , December 23, 1993 , 58 FR Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure 6813 3, December 23, 1993 and 59 FR regarding blower time delay for Rheem 14394, March 28, 1994 ; Amana Manufacturing Company (Rheem) GRA Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR 27958, June 18 , upflow, and GSA downflow condensing gas 1991 , 56 FR 63940 , December 6, 1991 , furnaces. 57 FR 23392 , June 3 , 1992, and 58 FR Previous waivers for this type of timed 68130, December 23, 1993; Snyder

- blower delay control have been granted by General Corporation

. 56 FR 54960 , DOE to Coleman Company , 50 FR 2710, January 18 , 1985 ; Magic Chef Company, 50 September 9, 1991 ; Goodman FR 41553 , October 11 , 1985; Rheem Manufacturing Corporation , 56 FR Manufacturing Company , 53 FR 48574, 51713 , October 15, 1991 , 57 FR 27970 , December 1. 1988 , 56 FR 2920 , January 25. June 23 , 1992 and 59 FR 12586 , March 1991 , 57 FR 10166 , March 24 , 1992, 57 FR 17, 1994 ; The Ducane Company Inc ., 56 34560 , August 5 ,. 1992 , and 59 FR 30577, FR 63943 , December 6 , 1991 , 57 FR June 14 , 1994; Trane Company , 54 FR 19226, 10163 , March 24 , 1992 , and 58 FR May 4, 1989 , 56 FR 6021

. February 14, 1991,

68134 , December 23, 1993 ; Armstrong 57 FR 10167 , March 24 , 1992 , 57 FR 22222, May 27 , 1992 , and 58 FR 68138 , December Air Conditioning , Inc., 57 FR 899 , 23, 1993 ; Lennox Industries , 55 FR 50224, January 9 , 1992 , 57 FR 10160 , March 24 , December 5, 1990 , 57 FR 49700 , November 1992 , 57 FR 10161 , March 24 , 1992 , 57 3, 1992

. 58 FR 68136 , December 23, 1993, FR 39193 , August 28 , 1992 , 57 FR and 58 FR 68137, December 23, 1993 ; Inter54230, November 17, 1992, and 59 FR City Products Corporation , 55 FR 51487, 30575, June 14 , 1994 ; Thermo Products , December 14 , 1990 , and 56 FR 63945, Inc., 57 FR 903 , January 9 , 1992 ; December 6 , 1991 ; DMO Industries, 56 FR Consolidated Industries Corporation , 57 4622 , February 5, 1991, and 59 FR 30579,

FR 22220 , MaY27 , 1992 ; Evcon • FJR June 6019 14, 1994;

, , February 14, r14, Heil-Quaker 19911; ; apoeation, 56 Carrier Industries , Inc., 57 FR 47847 , October Corporation , 56 FR 6018 , February 14, 1991, 20, 1992 ; and Bard Manufacturing 57 FR 38830 , August 27 , 1992, 58 FR 68131, Company , 57 FR 53733 , November 12,' December 23, 1993 , 58 FR 68133 , December 1992 , and 59 FR 30578 , June 14 , 1994

. 23, 1993 and 59 FR 14394, March 28, 1994; Thus , it-appears likely that the Petition Amana Refrigeration Inc.. 56 FR 27958, June for Waiver will be granted for blower 18.1991 , 56 FR 63940 , December 6, 1991, 57 time delay. FR 23392 , June 3 , 1992 , and 58 FR 68130, In those instances where the likely December 23, 1993 ; Snyder General Corporation , 56 FR 54960 , September 9, success of the Petition for Waiver has 1991; Goodman Manufacturing Corporation, been demonstrated based upon DOE 56 FR 51713

, October 15, 1991, 57 FR 27970, having granted a waiver'for a similar June 23, 1992 and 59 FR 12586 , March 17, product design, it is in the public 1994 ; The Ducane Company Inc., 56 FR interest to have similar products tested 63943 , December 6, 1991, 57 FR 10163, and rated for energy consumption on a March 24,1992 , and 58 FR 68134, December comparable basis

. 23, 1993; Armstrong Air Conditioning, Inc., Therefore , based on the above, DOE is 57 FR 899 , January 9, 1992 , 57 FR 10160, March Rheem an Interim Waiver for 24, 19 March , granting 1992

, 57 FR 3991 1933, , August 28 , 1992, , 57

T FR its GRA upflow , and GSA downflow 54230

, November 17, 1992, and 59 FR 30575, condensing gas furnaces

. Pursuant to June 14 , 1994 ; Thermo Products , Inc., 57 FR paragraph (e) of § 430

. 27 of the Code of 903, January 9 , 1992 ; Consolidated Industries Federal Regulations. Part 430 , the Corporation , 57 FR 22220 , May 27, 1992; following letter granting the Application Evcon Industries . Inc.. 57 FR 47847 , October for Interim Waiver to Rheem was issued : 20, 1992; and Bard Manufacturing Company. Pursuant to paragraph (b) of 10 CFR 57 FR 53733 , November 12, 1992 , and 59 FR DOE is hereby the 30578 , June 14, 1994. Thus , it appears likely § 430.27, Y publishing that the Petition for Waiver will be granted

" Petition for Waiver " in its entirety

. The for blower time delay. petition contains no confidential Rheem's Application for Interim Waiver information

. The Department solicits does not provide sufficient information to

### Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 178 / Thursday, September 15, 1994 / Notices 47319

evaluate what,.if any, economic impact or competitive disadvantage Rheem will likely experience absent a favorable determination on its application. However, In those Instances where the likely success of the Petition for Waiver has been demonstrated, based upon DOE having granted a waiver for a similar product design, it is in the public interest to have similar products tested and rated for energy consumption on a comparable basis. Therefore, Rheem's Application for an Interim Waiver from the DOE test procedure for its GRA upflow, and GSA downflow condensing gas furnaces regarding blower Sincerely, Christine A. Ervin, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. July 15,1994. Mr. Cyrus Nasseri, Assistant Secretary, Conservation and Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. Dear Mr. Nasseri: This Is a petition for waiver and application for interim waiver time delay is granted. submitted pursuant to title 10 CFR Part Rheem shall be permitted to test its GRA 430.27. Waiver is requested from the furnace upflow, and GSA downflow condensing gas test procedure as prescribed in Appendix N furnaces on the basis of the test procedures to Subpart B of Part 430. The test procedure specified in 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B. requires a 1.5 minute delay between burner Appendix N, with the modification set forth and blower start-up. Rheem is requesting below: authorization to use a 20 second delay (i) Section 3.0 in Appendix N Is deleted instead of 1.5 minutes for our Seriesl-)GRA and replaced with the following paragraph: upflow and (-)GSA downflow condensing 3.0 Test Procedure. Testing and residential as-fired furnaces. measurements shall be as specified in type re resi t will l manufacturing

athese Section 9 in ANSI/ASHRAE 103-82 with the g exception of Sections 8.2.2 , 9.3.1, and 9.3.2, appliances with an electronic device that and the inclusion of the following additional controls the blower operation on a timing procedures: sequence as opposed to temperature. (ii) Add a new paragraph 3:10 in Appendix Improved energy efficiency is achieved by N as follows: reducing on cycle losses. Under the 3.10 Gas- and Oil-Fueled Central Appendix N procedures, the stack Furnaces. After equilibrium conditions are temperature is allowed to climb eta faster achieved following the cool-down test and rate than it would with a 20 second blower the required measurements performed, turn . on time, allowing energy to be lost out of the on the furnace and measure the flue gas vent system. This waste of energy would not described above, temperature, 0

the .5 and 2.5 minutes

aft grid after occur in actual operation. if this petition is the main burner(s)) comes and on2 e .After the granted, the true blower on time delay would comes burner start-up, delay the blower start-up by be used in the calculations. 1.5 minutes (t-) unless: (1) The furnace The current test procedures do not give employs a single motor to drive the power Rheem credit for the. energy savings which burner and the indoor air circulation blower, averages approximately 3%. Rheem Is of the in which case the burner and blower shall be opinion that this reduction in energy is a started together; or (2) the furnace is designed worthwhile savings. to operate using an unvarying delay time that Rheem has most recently been granted is other than 1.5 minutes, In which case the previous waivers regarding blower on time to fan control shall be permitted to start the be used In the efficiency calculations for our blower; or (3) the delay time results In the (-)GET) and (-)GKC series condensing activation of a temperature safety device furnaces and (-)GDG, (-)GVH, (-)GPH, (-)GI.H which shuts off the burner, in which case the series furnaces. Several other manufacturers blower. ce owerr. Inl the

shall be latter case permitted if the to fan start control the of gas furnaces have also been granted a is bl adjustable, set it to star,t the e blower at the waiver to permit calculations based on timed highest temperature. If the fan control is blower operation. Also, ASHRAE Standard permitted to start the blower, measure time delay (t-) using a stop watch

. Record the measured temperature

. During the heat-up test for oil

-fueled furnaces , maintain the draft in the flue pipe within ± 0.01 inch of water column of the manufacturer's recommended on-period draft This Interim Waiver is based upon the presumed validity ofstatements and all allegations submitted by the company. This Interim Waiver may be removed or modified at any time upon a determination that the factual basis underlying the application is incorrect The Interim Waiver shall remain In effect for a period of 180 days or until DOE acts on the Petition for Waiver, whichever Is sooner, and may be extended for an additional 180- day period, If necessary. 103-1993, paragraph 9.51.2.2 specifically addresses the use of timed blower operation. Confidential and comparative test data Is available to you upon your request, confirming the above energy savings. Manufacturers that domestically market similar products are being sent a copy of this petition for waiver and petition for Interim waiver. Sincerely, Daniel J. Canclini, Vice President-Product Development and Research Engineering. IFR Doc. 94-22891 Filed 9-14-94; 8:45 aml BILLING CODE &450-01-M