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. proceduresto 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

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 120
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 Mr15, 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,

Her14, il-Quake 19911; ; apoeation, 56 r

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 Ma

rch ,

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

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 120
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

measurements shall be as specified in type re 3.0 Test Procedure. Testing and residential as-fired furnaces.

Section 9 in ANSI/ASHRAE 103-82 with the g resit will l manufacturingathese

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, 0the

.5 and 2.5 minutesaft

grid

after occur in actual operation. if this petition is

the main burner(s)) comes

and

on2 comese .After the granted, the true blower on time delay would

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

isbl 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

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 120