```

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 9, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69870-69893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28543]

[[Page 69869]]

Vol. 76

Wednesday,

No. 217

November 9, 2011

Part III

Department of Energy

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10 CFR Parts 429 and 430

Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential Clothes 
Washers; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 9, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 69870]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Parts 429 and 430

[Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-TP-0021]
RIN 1904-AC08r

Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential 
Clothes Washers

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: In this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR), 
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its test 
procedure for residential clothes washers established under the Energy 
Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). DOE proposes to amend the 
definition of the energy test cycle to provide further clarity to 
ensure that the test procedure is representative of consumer behavior 
and repeatable among different test laboratories. This proposal 
incorporates suggestions received from interested parties in response 
to the September 21, 2010 notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and the 
August 9, 2011 SNOPR.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
SNOPR no later than December 9, 2011. See section V, ``Public 
Participation,'' for details.

ADDRESSES: Any comments submitted must identify the SNOPR for Test 
Procedures for residential clothes washers (energy test cycle), and 
provide docket number EERE-2011-BT-TP-0021 and/or regulatory 
information number (RIN) number 1904-AC08. Comments may be submitted 
using any of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    2. Email: RES-CW-2010-TP-0021@ee.doe.gov. Include the docket number 
and/or RIN in the subject line of the message.
    3. Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building 
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible, please submit all items on a 
CD. It is not necessary to include printed copies.
    4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 
600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. If possible, 
please submit all items on a CD. It is not necessary to include printed 
copies.
    For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see section V of this document 
(Public Participation).
    Docket: The docket is available for review at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2010-BT-TP-0021, including 
Federal Register notices, framework documents, public meeting attendee 
lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting documents/
materials. All documents in the docket are listed in the 
regulations.gov index. However, not all documents listed in the index 
may be publicly available, such as information that is exempt from 
public disclosure. The regulations.gov web page contains instructions 
on how to access all documents, including public comments, in the 
docket. See section V for information on how to submit comments through 
regulations.gov.
    For further information on how to submit a comment or review other 
public comments and the docket, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 
586-2945 or by email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen L. Witkowski, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 
Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-7463. Email: 
Stephen.Witkowski@ee.doe.gov.
    Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-7796. Email: 
Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Authority and Background
II. Summary of the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
III. Discussion
    A. Today's Proposed Revision for Part (B) of the Energy Test 
Cycle
    B. Discussion of Energy Test Cycle Definition
    1. Background
    2. September 2010 NOPR Proposal and Comments Received
    3. August 2011 SNOPR Proposal and Comments Received
    4. DOE Response to All Comments
    a. Vague Language
    b. Elimination of Part (B)
    c. Representativeness
    d. Test Burden
    e. Manufacturer Default Settings
    f. Suggested Alternative Definitions
    g. Definition of the Start and End of Each Cycle
    C. Compliance With Other EPCA Requirements
    1. Test Burden
    2. Commercial Clothes Washers
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
    Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
V. Public Participation
    A. Submission of Comments

I. Authority and Background

    The statutory authority and background for this SNOPR are the same 
as that published in: (1) DOE's notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to 
amend the test procedure for residential clothes washers, published in 
September 2010 (75 FR 57556, Sept. 21, 2010) (September 2010 NOPR); and 
(2) DOE's recent SNOPR to address the incorporation of certain 
provisions of IEC 62301 (Second Edition) into the test procedure (76 FR 
49238, Aug. 9, 2011) (August 2011 SNOPR). Please see the September 2010 
NOPR and August 2011 SNOPR for further details.

II. Summary of the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    The revised clothes washer test procedure amendments DOE is 
proposing in today's SNOPR would update the definition of the energy 
test cycle. The proposed definition would apply to the revised test 
procedure to be published at appendix J2 at 10 CFR 430 subpart B. At 
the end of this SNOPR, DOE sets forth the proposed regulatory text from 
DOE's proposed test procedure amendments in the September 2010 NOPR, as 
amended by the August 2011 SNOPR and today's proposals.
    Today's SNOPR covers only the energy test cycle definition. DOE 
will discuss all other aspects of the proposed test procedure 
revisions, and respond to comments received from interested parties on 
those aspects of the proposed revisions, in the final rule.

III. Discussion

A. Today's Proposed Revision for Part (B) of the Energy Test Cycle

    Based on the discussion of comments in the following sections, DOE 
proposes in today's SNOPR to modify the definition of the energy test 
cycle as follows:

    Energy test cycle for a basic model means:
    (A) The cycle setting recommended by the manufacturer for 
washing cotton or linen clothes, and includes all wash/rinse 
temperature selections offered in that cycle setting, and
    (B) if the cycle setting described in (A) does not include all 
wash/rinse temperature combinations available on the clothes

[[Page 69871]]

washer, the energy test cycle shall also include the alternate cycle 
setting(s) offering these wash/rinse temperature combination(s), 
tested at the wash/rinse temperature combinations not available on 
the cycle setting described in (A).
    Where multiple alternate cycle settings offer a wash/rinse 
temperature combination that is not available on the cycle setting 
recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, 
the cycle setting certified by the manufacturer to have the highest 
energy consumption, as measured according to section 2.13, shall be 
included in the energy test cycle.
    (C) All cycle settings included under part (A) and part (B) 
shall be tested using each appropriate load size as defined in 
section 2.8 and Table 5.1.
    (D) For any cycle setting tested under (A) or (B), the 
manufacturer default settings shall be used, except for the 
temperature selection, if necessary. This includes wash conditions 
such as agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin speed(s), wash 
times, rinse times, and all other wash parameters or optional 
features applicable to that cycle, including water heating time for 
water heating clothes washers. Each wash cycle included as part of 
the energy test cycle shall comprise the entire active washing mode 
and exclude any delay start or cycle finished modes.

    DOE also proposes to add a new section 2.13 to the revised test 
procedure as follows:
2.13 Energy Consumption for the Purpose of Certifying the Cycle 
Setting(s) To Be Included in Part (B) of the Energy Test Cycle 
Definition
    Where multiple alternate cycle settings offer a wash/rinse 
temperature combination not available on the cycle setting recommended 
by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, the cycle 
setting with the highest energy consumption, as measured according to 
this section, shall be included in the energy test cycle.
    To determine which cycle setting has the highest energy 
consumption, establish the testing conditions set forth in section 2 of 
this test procedure. Select the applicable cycle setting and 
temperature combination. Use the manufacturer default settings for 
agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin speed(s), wash times, 
rinse times, and all other wash parameters or optional features 
applicable to that cycle, including water heating time for water 
heating clothes washers. Each wash cycle tested under this section 
shall comprise the entire active washing mode and exclude any delay 
start or cycle finished modes.
    To identify the cycle setting with the highest energy consumption, 
use the clothes washer's maximum test load size, determined from Table 
5.1. For clothes washers with a manual water fill control system, user-
adjustable adaptive water fill control system, or adaptive water fill 
control system with alternate manual water fill control system, use the 
water fill selector setting resulting in the maximum water level 
available for each cycle setting.
    Measure each cycle setting's electrical energy consumption 
(EB) and hot water consumption (HB). Calculate 
the total energy consumption for each cycle setting (ETB), 
as follows:

ETB = EB + (HB x T x K)

Where:

EB is the electrical energy consumption, expressed in 
kilowatt-hours per cycle.
HB is the hot water consumption, expressed in gallons per 
cycle.
T = temperature rise = 75 [deg]F (41.7 [deg]C)
K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon per degree F = 
0.00240 (0.00114 kWh/L-[deg]C)

    The provisions proposed in today's rule would be set forth in 
appendix J2 and would become effective 30 days after the date of 
publication in the Federal Register of the final rule in this test 
procedure rulemaking. DOE would clarify in the published amended test 
procedures, however, that manufacturers would be required to use 
amended appendix J1 until the compliance date of any final rule 
establishing amended energy conservation standards that addresses 
standby and off mode power consumption for these products. 42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(2)(C). At such time, manufacturers would begin using the test 
procedures in appendix J2. DOE notes that until use of appendix J2 is 
required, DOE's guidance on warm rinse and capacity measurement, 
available at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/clothes_washers.html, is still applicable.

B. Discussion of Energy Test Cycle Definition

    The following sections summarize DOE's previous proposals regarding 
the energy test cycle definition as well as comments received from 
interested parties. Section III.B.1 provides background on the 
definition of the energy test cycle. Section III.B.2 summarizes DOE's 
proposal published in the September 2010 NOPR and the comments received 
from interested parties on the energy test cycle definition. Section 
III.B.3 summarizes DOE's proposal published in the August 2011 SNOPR 
and the comments received from interested parties on the energy test 
cycle definition. Section III.B.4 provides DOE's responses to all 
comments received from both the September 2010 NOPR and August 2011 
SNOPR that resulted in the proposal stated in section III.A.
1. Background
    The ``energy test cycle'' comprises all the wash/rinse temperature 
selections currently used in determining the modified energy factor 
(MEF) and water factor (WF) for a clothes washer, and proposed to be 
used for determining integrated modified energy factor (IMEF) and 
integrated water consumption factor (IWF). The energy test cycle is 
defined in section 1.7 of the current clothes washer test procedure as 
follows:

    1.7 Energy test cycle for a basic model means (A) The cycle 
recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, 
and includes all wash/rinse temperature selections and water levels 
offered in that cycle, and (B) for each other wash/rinse temperature 
selection or water level available on that basic model, the 
portion(s) of other cycle(s) with that temperature selection or 
water level that, when tested pursuant to these test procedures, 
will contribute to an accurate representation of the energy 
consumption of the basic model as used by consumers. Any cycle under 
(A) or (B) shall include the agitation/tumble operation, spin 
speed(s), wash times, and rinse times applicable to that cycle, 
including water heating time for water heating clothes washers.

10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix J1
    The cycle setting recommended for washing cotton or linen clothes 
is commonly referred to as the ``Normal'' setting. DOE has observed 
that on clothes washers with electronic control panels, certain wash/
rinse temperature combinations are commonly ``locked out'' of the 
Normal setting. In such cases, these wash/rinse temperatures can be 
accessed only by switching the control panel selection dial to one of 
the other settings (e.g. ``Whites'', ``Heavy Duty'', ``Casual'', 
``Permanent Press'', etc.). DOE has observed that the extra-hot wash/
cold rinse and/or warm wash/warm rinse temperature combinations are 
locked out of the Normal setting on some clothes washer models that 
offer such selections.
    In cases where certain wash/rinse combinations are locked out of 
the Normal setting, manufacturers may test only the temperature 
selections available on the Normal setting, despite being able to 
access other wash/rinse temperature selections on other settings. 
Testing only the wash temperature selections available in the Normal 
setting may neglect part (B) of the energy test cycle definition, which 
requires manufacturers to switch out of the Normal setting to a 
different setting that allows the other temperature

[[Page 69872]]

combinations to be selected and tested, if such testing ``will 
contribute to an accurate representation of energy consumption as used 
by consumers.'' Because the temperature selections typically locked out 
of the Normal setting are those that use greater quantities of hot 
water and thus have higher water heating energy consumption, excluding 
them from the energy test cycle could increase a clothes washer's MEF, 
while not accurately representing the energy consumption of a 
particular machine as used by the consumer.
2. September 2010 NOPR Proposal and Comments Received
    In the September 2010 NOPR, DOE noted that the specific language 
requiring manufacturers to test different temperature selections if 
such testing ``contribute[s] to an accurate representation of energy 
consumption as used by consumers'' has caused some confusion and 
differences in interpretation among manufacturers and independent test 
laboratories. DOE believes the energy test cycle definition must be 
clear, uniformly understood, and able to be interpreted consistently by 
manufacturers, competitors, and independent test laboratories without 
subjective judgment or reliance on proprietary data.
    In the September 2010 NOPR, DOE proposed to amend part (B) of the 
energy test cycle definition to provide clarity in determining whether 
to test temperature selections that are available on the clothes washer 
but locked out of the Normal setting. Specifically, DOE proposed 
modifying part (B) as follows:

    ``* * * (B) if the cycle described in (A) Does not include all 
wash/rinse temperature settings available on the clothes washer and 
required for testing as described in this test procedure, the energy 
test cycle shall also include the portions of a cycle setting 
offering these wash/rinse temperature settings with agitation/tumble 
operation, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times that are 
largely comparable to those for the cycle recommended by the 
manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes. Any cycle under 
(A) or (B) shall include the default agitation/tumble operation, 
soil level, spin speed(s), wash times, and rinse times applicable to 
that cycle, including water heating time for water heating clothes 
washers.'' 75 FR 57556, 57575-76 (Sept. 21, 2010).

    The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) commented 
that DOE's proposal in the September 2010 NOPR to amend part (B) of the 
energy test cycle definition was vague, undefined, and included a 
significant amount of variability. AHAM noted that variability in a 
test procedure has substantial consequences for manufacturers, and that 
the test procedure must be clear and be uniformly understood to avoid 
significant variations in testing across laboratories or technicians. 
(AHAM, No. 14 at p. 15) \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A notation in the form ``AHAM, No. 14 at p. 5'' identifies a 
written comment made by AHAM; recorded in document number 14 that is 
filed in the docket of the clothes washer test procedure rulemaking 
(Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-TP-0021); that appears on page 5 of 
document number 14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Alliance Laundry Systems (ALS) commented that DOE's proposal is 
vague and the proposal would require applying consumer usage factors to 
all available settings other than the Normal setting. ALS believes that 
different certification test laboratories could not apply part (B) in 
any meaningful and consistent manner. Further, ALS believes the burden 
on manufacturers and test laboratories to try to utilize part (B) would 
be significant and likely unbearable. (ALS, No. 10 at p. 5)
    Whirlpool Corporation (Whirlpool) commented that the term ``largely 
comparable'' in the proposed part (B) definition is not clear and is 
open to the same type of interpretation and confusion that currently 
exists, and strongly urged DOE to revise its proposed definition. 
(Whirlpool, No. 13 at p. 13)
    BSH Home Appliances (BSH) commented that, while it generally agrees 
with the proposal to measure a complete warm wash/warm rinse cycle, the 
problems suggested by DOE that prompted the proposed revision of part 
(B) would return with the proposed wording of the energy test cycle 
definition. BSH stated that numerous portions of cycles without defined 
start and end points would need to be incorporated into energy data 
depending on the interpretation of the words ``largely comparable.'' 
According to BSH, assembling portions of cycles to test under part (B) 
would not represent a cycle setting that a consumer could ever select, 
and thus would not be representative of actual consumer usage. (BSH, 
No. 20 at p. 4; BSH, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 20 at pp. 188-189) 
BSH further stated that it opposes the proposed definition of the 
energy test cycle for the following reasons: (1) The proposed 
definition would lead to questions about which of the ``largely 
comparable'' cycle settings is the ``worst case'' (e.g., the cycle 
setting with the highest energy consumption but not the highest water 
consumption, the cycle setting with the highest water consumption but 
not the highest energy consumption, etcetera); (2) the uncertainty in 
interpreting the phrase ``contributes to an accurate representation of 
the energy consumption'' would be replaced with similar uncertainty in 
interpreting the phrase ``largely comparable.'' Accordingly, BSH 
questioned what threshold criteria would be used to determine whether a 
setting is close enough to the Normal setting to be considered 
comparable. BSH believes that the proposed definition could lead to 
every cycle setting having to be measured, with ``largely comparable'' 
being interpreted differently by manufacturers, certification bodies, 
and verification bodies. (BSH, No. 13 at p. 5; BSH, Public Meeting 
Transcript. No. 20 at pp. 188, 190, 193)
    GE Appliances & Lighting (GE) agreed with AHAM's comments and 
offered an alternative definition for the energy test cycle, as 
follows:

    Energy test cycle for a basic model means (A) The cycle 
recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, 
and includes all wash/rinse temperature selections and water levels 
offered in that cycle; and (B) If the cycle described in (A) does 
not include all wash/rinse temperature selections available on the 
clothes washer, and these selections are required for testing as 
described in this test procedure, then the energy test cycle shall 
include the other cycles available on the clothes washer tested only 
at the wash/rinse temperature selections which are not available on 
the cycle described in (A). If a wash/rinse temperature selection 
not available in the cycle described in (A) is available on multiple 
other cycles provided on the clothes washer, then each cycle with 
that wash/rinse temperature selection must be tested and the cycle 
resulting in the most energy usage will be included in the energy 
test cycle.'' (GE, No. 15 at pp. 1-2)

    GE expressed concern that the proposed definition supplied in the 
September 2010 NOPR may result in different interpretations of what 
should be included in the energy test cycle. Specifically, GE commented 
that the interpretation of what would be considered ``largely 
comparable to a cottons or linens cycle'' could be variable and affect 
the results of an energy test. GE stated that its proposed definition 
would clarify the definition and remove as much interpretation as 
possible. (GE, No. 15 at pp. 1-2)
    Springboard Engineering (Springboard) interpreted the proposed 
definition in part (B) as requiring the warm wash/warm rinse 
temperature combination to be tested, but questioned whether the 
proposed definition provides enough direction such that different test 
laboratories would select similar cycle settings on the same clothes 
washer. Springboard noted, for example, that some clothes washers

[[Page 69873]]

have three or more warm wash/warm rinse settings to choose among, and 
different laboratories might use different criteria to select which 
setting to include in the energy test cycle. Springboard stated that it 
would choose the cycle setting similar in time and agitation to the 
Normal setting; however, Springboard noted that the possibility that 
one laboratory could select the ``Colors'' setting, for example, while 
another might select the ``Permanent Press'' setting, which could 
produce different measured performance. According to Springboard, 
different settings may not have the same wash and rinse temperatures or 
spin speeds, but such information would not be known without first 
testing each setting on the clothes washer and comparing the hot water 
usage. Springboard believes that these tests could increase the test 
burden. (Springboard, No. 11 at pp. 1-2) Springboard also noted that 
the different warm wash/warm rinse settings on a clothes washer may 
have different spin speeds, which will affect the remaining moisture 
content (RMC) and MEF calculation. Id. Furthermore, Springboard 
commented that some laboratories may interpret that a ``Sanitize'' 
setting with extra-hot wash would not have to be tested because it is 
not comparable to the Normal setting. Springboard questioned whether 
the intention of part (B) is to test the extra-hot wash temperature 
combination, even if it has to be selected with a different setting 
such as the ``Sanitize'' setting. (Springboard, No. 11 at p. 2)
    The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) supports DOE's 
proposal to account for temperature options available outside the 
``Normal'' setting. NEEA believes DOE clarified this provision in the 
proposed language change for part (B) of the energy test cycle. (NEEA, 
No. 12 at p. 14)
3. August 2011 SNOPR Proposal and Comments Received
    In testing conducted since the September 2010 NOPR, DOE observed 
that some clothes washers retain in memory the most recent options 
selected for a cycle setting the next time that cycle is run. To ensure 
repeatability of test results, particularly for cycles under part (B) 
of the energy test cycle definition, DOE proposed in the August 2011 
SNOPR to further clarify that the manufacturer default conditions for 
each cycle setting shall be used, except for the temperature selection, 
if necessary. For example, if the extra-hot temperature selection was 
only available on the ``Whites'' setting, the manufacturer would use 
the Whites setting to test that temperature option. If the default wash 
temperature for the Whites setting was warm or hot, however, the 
manufacturer would have to manually adjust the temperature to obtain 
the extra-hot wash temperature. For certification testing in this 
illustrative case, the manufacturer would use the default settings on 
the Whites setting for all options except the temperature selection, 
which would be manually adjusted to achieve the desired temperature.
    In addition, DOE proposed in the August 2011 SNOPR to delete the 
phrase, ``and required for testing as described in this test 
procedure'' from part (B) as redundant and unnecessary.
    In response to the revised proposal in the August 2011 SNOPR, AHAM 
stated that it opposes including the phrase, ``the manufacturer default 
settings for each cycle setting shall be used, except for the 
temperature selection'' in the energy test cycle definition. AHAM 
believes the proposed clarification is vague because it is open to 
interpretation by manufacturers. (AHAM, No. 24 at p. 5) AHAM further 
stated generally that the proposed clarification to the energy test 
cycle definition, as well as the existing part (B) of the definition, 
represent significant test burden with no corresponding benefit because 
the results are not representative of actual consumer use. (AHAM, No. 
24 at p. 5)
    ALS opposed the proposed clarification to part (B) of the energy 
test cycle definition, stating that the phrase ``largely comparable'' 
is vague and open to interpretation. (ALS, No. 22 at p. 2) ALS proposed 
eliminating part (B) of the energy test cycle definition entirely, due 
to the test burden associated with measuring energy use in every 
possible cycle option. ALS proposed implementing only part (A) of the 
energy test cycle definition, which is ``the cycle recommended by the 
manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, and includes all the 
wash/rinse temperature selections and water levels offered in that 
cycle.'' (ALS, No. 22 at p. 2) ALS supports DOE's proposal to clarify 
that the manufacturer's default settings be utilized in the energy test 
cycle definition. (ALS, No. 22 at p. 2)
    Whirlpool disagreed with part (B) of the energy test cycle 
definition as proposed in the August 2011 SNOPR. Whirlpool stated that 
part (B) would require including temperature/water level options not 
recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton and linen clothing 
because they may lead to clothing damage such as shrinkage, dye 
transfer, puckering, or other outcomes unacceptable to the consumer. 
(Whirlpool, No. 27 at p. 2) Whirlpool stated that it possesses 
proprietary consumer data suggesting that steam and Sanitize cycle 
settings are used infrequently, warranting their exclusion from the 
energy test cycle definition. (Whirlpool, No. 27 at p. 2) Whirlpool 
proposes the following definition for the energy test cycle:

    ``Energy test cycle for a basic model means the cycle 
recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, 
and includes all wash/rinse temperature selections and water levels 
offered in that cycle. If a particular wash/rinse temperature 
selection or water level is available on the basic model, but is not 
available for selection in the cycle recommended by the manufacturer 
for washing cotton or linen clothes (i.e., is locked out of the 
cycle), then that temperature selection and/or water level shall not 
be included in the energy test cycle.'' (Whirlpool, No. 27 at p. 2).

    Whirlpool, ALS, and GE (hereafter referred to as the ``Joint 
Manufacturers'') submitted a joint comment on the August 2011 SNOPR. 
The Joint Manufacturers agree with AHAM that DOE's proposed amendment 
to part (B) in the August 2011 SNOPR is vague because it is open to a 
significant amount of interpretation by manufacturers. (Joint 
Manufacturers, No. 28 at p. 1) The Joint Manufacturers further agree 
with AHAM that the cycle setting recommended for washing cotton or 
linen clothes is the cycle setting that is most representative of 
consumer use, and if the consumer cannot select a temperature for that 
cycle setting, then it is not representative to arbitrarily select 
other settings that have that temperature option. The Joint 
Manufacturers stated that requiring arbitrary selection of temperatures 
adds ambiguity to the test procedure, which results in variability. The 
Joint Manufacturers urged DOE to eliminate part (B) from the proposed 
definition of the energy test cycle. Id.
    The Joint Manufacturers further stated that if DOE nevertheless 
decides to retain part (B) of the energy test cycle definition, the 
following revised language should be used for part (B):

    ``* * * (B) if the cycle described in (A) does not include a 
water heating option and the clothes washer has a water heating 
temperature selection or cycle available, the cycle and temperature 
selection recommended by the manufacturer for sanitization, 
disinfection or similar must be included in the energy test cycle. 
In the case of multiple such cycles, the cycle using the most energy 
at the manufacturer default setting must be chosen. If the clothes 
washer has a water heating option and the manufacturer does not 
recommend a cycle for sanitization, disinfection, or similar, the 
energy test cycle shall include the water

[[Page 69874]]

heating cycle and temperature selection with the manufacturer's 
default cycle time. Again, in the case of multiple such cycles the 
cycle using the most energy at the manufacturer default setting must 
be chosen. Any cycle under (A) or (B) shall include the 
manufacturer's default agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin 
speeds, wash times, and rinse times applicable to that cycle, 
including water heating time for water heating clothes washers.'' 
(Joint Manufacturers, No. 28 at pp. 1-2; Whirlpool, No. 27 at pp. 2-
3).

    NEEA agrees with DOE's proposed changes to the energy test cycle 
definition. However, NEEA believes that the point at which the test 
cycle starts and ends is not defined in the clothes washer test 
procedure. (NEEA, No. 26 at p. 4) NEEA questioned whether the beginning 
of the energy test cycle could be defined as the beginning of the 
delayed wash cycle, if any; and whether the end of the energy test 
cycle could be defined as the beginning of the ``inactive'' mode. 
(NEEA, No. 26 at p. 4) NEEA stated that defining the energy test cycle 
as starting with the activation of the ``delay start'' mode, if any 
(with the duration specified) and ending with the beginning of the 
inactive mode (with the duration of the ``cycle finished'' mode, if 
any, specified, either in minutes or number of cycles, or both), would 
simplify and clarify the test procedure. NEEA believes that while this 
could lengthen the energy test cycle itself, a greater amount of 
testing time could be saved by not having to set up and measure the 
``delay start'' and ``cycle finished'' modes separately. (NEEA, No. 26 
at p. 4).
4. DOE Response to All Comments
    As outlined in the previous sections, the comments DOE received 
from interested parties collectively identify seven concerns related to 
its proposed energy test cycle definition:
    (1) Vague language. The proposed definition is vague and would lead 
to significant variability in interpretation; particularly the phrase 
``largely comparable.''
    (2) Elimination of part (B). Including part (B) may not provide 
benefit to the public interest and should be eliminated entirely.
    (3) Representativeness. The cycles required to be tested under the 
proposed part (B) are not representative of typical consumer usage 
patterns.
    (4) Test burden. Third party laboratories could be required to test 
numerous alternate cycle settings to determine which cycles are largely 
comparable to the normal cycle, which could significantly increase test 
burden.
    (5) Manufacturer default settings. The energy test cycle definition 
should clearly specify whether the manufacturer default settings should 
be used, and if so, should clarify which default settings to use.
    (6) Suggested alternative definitions. Interested parties suggested 
several alternatives for defining the energy test cycle.
    (7) Definition of the start and end of each cycle. The energy test 
cycle definition should clearly define what constitutes the start and 
end of each active wash cycle.
    The following sections provide DOE's responses to each of these 
issues.
a. Vague Language
    Interested parties generally commented that DOE's proposed change 
to part (B) of the energy test cycle definition would create just as 
much confusion as the current definition. Specifically, interested 
parties believe that the proposed definition does not provide clear 
enough guidance on how to determine whether a cycle setting is 
``largely comparable'' to the Normal setting, which would lead to 
significant variability in interpretation and test results.
    DOE intended the proposed definition to specify that the 
determination of whether to include a cycle setting under part (B) of 
the energy test cycle should be made by comparing the agitation/tumble 
operation, spin speeds, wash times, and rinse times to those of the 
Normal setting. DOE acknowledges, however, that the proposed definition 
does not clearly define the boundaries of term ``largely comparable,'' 
leaving this determination to the subjective judgment of the test 
laboratory.
    As stated earlier, DOE believes the energy test cycle definition 
must be clear, uniformly understood, and able to be interpreted 
consistently by manufacturers, competitors, and independent test 
laboratories without subjective judgment or reliance on proprietary 
data. DOE notes that under the alternative definitions proposed by the 
Joint Manufacturers, the determination of which cycle settings to 
include under part (B) would be based on an objective numerical 
criterion readily determined by any test laboratory: The cycle setting 
using the most energy.
    DOE recognizes that there are other possible numerical criteria for 
determining whether a cycle setting should be included in the energy 
test cycle under part (B) of the definition, including the cycle 
setting using the least energy, the cycle setting with energy 
consumption most similar to that of the Normal setting, or cycle 
settings above or below a certain energy consumption threshold.
    DOE proposes, however, that including the cycle setting that uses 
the most energy would be the most appropriate, objective criterion for 
determining which cycle setting should be included under part (B) of 
the energy test cycle. This approach would ensure that clothes washers 
requiring testing under part (B) of the energy test cycle meet the 
applicable energy conservation standard when the maximum energy 
consumption representative of average consumer use is tested. This 
approach would also provide clarity by requiring only a single variable 
to be considered to make the determination. Therefore, DOE proposes in 
today's SNOPR that for each wash/rinse temperature combination not 
available under the Normal setting, the alternate cycle setting that 
uses the most energy must be chosen in the case where multiple 
alternate cycle settings offer that wash/rinse temperature combination.
    DOE notes that this criterion requires a clear definition of which 
components of energy consumption should be included in the measurement 
of each cycle setting's energy consumption--e.g. electrical energy, hot 
water energy, energy required for moisture removal (i.e., dryer 
energy), or a combination of these three energy components. DOE 
proposes that the machine electrical energy be included because this is 
a direct measure of a form of energy consumption by the clothes washer. 
DOE also proposes that the hot water energy be included for the 
following reasons: (1) Water temperature is the key characteristic that 
determines the need for testing under part (B) of the energy test cycle 
definition; (2) water temperature is often one of the primary 
parameters that consumers consider when selecting a wash/rinse cycle; 
(3) water heating energy represents a significant portion of a cycle's 
total energy consumption; (4) the test procedure already requires 
measuring hot water consumption for each tested cycle; and (5) a simple 
equation can be used to translate hot water quantity into hot water 
heating energy.
    DOE does not propose to include the drying energy in the 
determination of which cycle settings should be tested under part (B) 
of the energy test cycle. DOE lacks information on whether an RMC value 
that would be measured in alternate cycle settings would be comparable 
or analogous to the current RMC metric from which drying energy is 
calculated. Currently, RMC is determined for a clothes washer based on 
the results of only the cold wash/cold rinse cycle and the warm wash/

[[Page 69875]]

warm rinse cycle (if available), at minimum and maximum spin speeds (if 
available), using the maximum load size. Depending on the clothes 
washer, this corresponds to between one and four dedicated RMC tests 
and could significantly increase the test burden if required to be 
performed for each alternate cycle setting. The weighted-average value 
obtained from these RMC tests is calculated and considered to be the 
average RMC value for the clothes washer, across all cycles. Requiring 
the measurement of RMC for the individual cycles comprising the energy 
test cycle would be inconsistent with this methodology. Determining the 
energy required for moisture removal would require weighing the test 
cloth before and after each cycle to determine its remaining moisture 
content, which would also impose additional test burden. DOE further 
believes that in many circumstances, consumers may not be aware of 
variations in spin speed if that information is not displayed on the 
front panel of the clothes washer.
    For these reasons, DOE does not believe that the drying energy 
should be included in determining whether a cycle setting should be 
tested under part (B) of the energy test cycle. Therefore, DOE proposes 
in today's SNOPR to include the machine electrical energy consumption 
and hot water energy consumption when determining each cycle setting's 
total energy consumption, in the identification of the cycle setting 
that uses the most energy for each wash/rinse temperature combination 
to be tested under part (B) of the energy test cycle.
    Further, DOE notes that in sections 4.1.3 and 4.1.6 of the current 
test procedure, machine electrical energy and hot water energy are 
calculated as the weighted averages of each tested load size. Requiring 
the testing of multiple load sizes for the purpose of determining which 
cycle setting to select for part (B) of the energy test cycle, however, 
would unduly increase the test burden. Therefore, DOE proposes in 
today's SNOPR to require testing only the clothes washer's maximum load 
size, determined from Table 5.1, for the purpose of comparing the 
energy consumption of the alternate cycle settings considered under 
part (B) of the energy test cycle. Using the maximum load size will 
produce the most consistent, repeatable, and conservative results.
    In addition, DOE notes inconsistent usage of the word ``cycle'' in 
the energy test cycle definition. In some instances, the word ``cycle'' 
refers to the labeled program setting on the clothes washer (e.g. 
``Normal'', ``Whites'', ``Colors'', etc.). In other instances, the word 
``cycle'' refers to an individual wash/rinse cycle performed during 
active wash mode (e.g. a cold wash/cold rinse cycle). To help reduce 
this ambiguity, DOE proposes in today's SNOPR to modify the 
nomenclature by using the term ``cycle setting'' to indicate the 
labeled program setting on the clothes washer, and the term ``cycle'' 
to indicate an individual wash/rinse cycle.
b. Elimination of Part (B)
    As described in previous sections, manufacturers and AHAM commented 
that DOE should eliminate part (B) of the energy test cycle definition, 
while NEEA supports keeping part (B) to account for temperature options 
available outside the Normal setting.
    Wash/rinse temperature combinations locked out of the Normal 
setting should also be included in the energy test cycle, and doing so 
is representative of average consumer use according to the temperature 
use factors (TUFs) in the test procedure. DOE is unaware of any 
publicly available data indicating the frequency with which consumers 
select the Normal setting versus other cycle settings. However, DOE 
notes that the TUFs in the test procedure were developed to represent 
consumer selection of different temperature options available on a 
clothes washer. Each TUF represents the frequency with which consumers 
select a particular temperature option on machines offering that 
temperature option. The TUFs do not represent the frequency with which 
consumers select a particular temperature option among all clothes 
washers on the market. For example, if a particular clothes washer 
offers a warm rinse option, the warm rinse TUF indicates that the 
typical consumer using that clothes washer will select the warm rinse 
option for 27 percent of all wash loads. DOE believes that the energy 
test cycle proposed in section III.A, which requires use of part (B) of 
the definition if part (A) does not include all wash/rinse temperature 
combinations available on the machine, should include any temperature 
combination for which a TUF has been developed.
    If part (B) of the energy test cycle were to be eliminated, only 
the temperature options available in the Normal setting would be 
required for testing. Under this scenario, if one clothes washer 
offered all available temperature options in the Normal setting, while 
a second clothes washer offered the same temperature options but with a 
subset of those temperatures locked out of the Normal setting, the 
locked out temperature options on the second clothes washer would not 
be factored into its energy efficiency rating. This would imply that 
consumer behavior would differ for these two clothes washers; i.e., 
that consumers would select the locked out temperature combinations 
less frequently on the second machine. DOE is not aware of any data 
that quantifies how consumers may adjust their behavior based on the 
cycle setting for which a particular temperature option is available 
(e.g. ``Normal'', ``Whites'', ``Colors'', etc.) rather than on the 
desired temperature option itself.
    In addition, if DOE eliminated part (B) from the energy test cycle 
definition, manufacturers could arbitrarily exclude temperatures from 
the Normal setting, thus excluding them from being tested under the DOE 
test procedure. In the most extreme case, a manufacturer could create a 
Normal setting that offers only cold water temperatures, and move all 
heated water cycles to alternate cycle settings on the machine. In this 
case, consumers would likely select the alternate cycle settings for a 
significant portion of wash cycles, yet only the cold cycle would be 
required for testing under the DOE test procedure.
    In summary, DOE believes that if a temperature combination is 
``locked out'' of the Normal cycle setting but exists on at least one 
alternate cycle setting, it should be included in the energy test cycle 
under the assumption that a consumer will switch to one of the 
alternate cycles to obtain that wash/rinse temperature combination. For 
the reasons stated above, DOE proposes in today's SNOPR to keep part 
(B) of the energy test cycle definition, and to require testing of all 
temperature combinations available on the machine, including any 
temperature options locked out of the Normal setting.
c. Representativeness
    Manufacturers and AHAM expressed concern that the wash cycles, or 
portions of wash cycles, required to be tested under part (B) are not 
representative of consumer usage patterns. As described in the previous 
section, DOE does not have data to verify how consumers may adjust 
their behavior based on the particular cycle setting for which a 
temperature option is available, rather than the desired temperature 
option itself.
    DOE acknowledges that the wording of part (B) in the current test 
procedure and DOE's proposals in the September 2010 NOPR and August 
2011 SNOPR include language referring to ``portion(s) of other cycle(s) 
with that temperature selection or water level * * *'' that may be 
interpreted in different ways. DOE

[[Page 69876]]

does not believe that the energy test cycle should include portions of 
individual wash cycles. DOE concurs with BSH that assembling portions 
of cycles to test under part (B) (i.e. testing the wash portion of one 
cycle in combination with the rinse portion of another cycle) would not 
represent a cycle that a consumer could select, and thus would not be 
representative of actual consumer usage. As a result, the energy test 
cycle should include only complete wash/rinse cycles as programmed on 
the clothes washer. Accordingly, DOE proposes in today's SNOPR to 
remove the phrase ``portion(s) of other cycles'' from the definition of 
energy test cycle.
d. Test Burden
    DOE acknowledges that the language it proposed in the September 
2010 NOPR and August 2011 SNOPR for part (B) of the energy test cycle 
could significantly increase test burden if a laboratory is required to 
test numerous alternate cycle settings to determine which cycles are 
largely comparable to the normal cycle. Under today's proposal, 
manufacturers would test all wash/rinse temperature combinations not 
available under part (A) of the energy test cycle definition. Where 
multiple cycle settings offer these wash/rinse temperature 
combinations, DOE proposes a clear, objective way for manufacturers to 
determine of which cycle(s) to include in the energy test cycle. DOE 
proposes that for each of these wash/rinse temperature combinations, 
manufacturers include the cycle setting that uses the most energy in 
the energy test cycle. DOE further proposes to require manufacturers to 
certify to DOE the specific cycle settings comprising the energy test 
cycle for each basic model of its clothes washer. This list of cycle 
settings would be provided to DOE and any test laboratory used by the 
manufacturer or DOE, so that neither DOE nor the test laboratory would 
be required to independently determine which cycles should be included. 
DOE believes that this proposal would eliminate a major source of 
ambiguity and inconsistency of test results among various laboratories.
    This proposal would require a manufacturer to provide to DOE as 
part of its certification the cycle settings that a manufacturer used 
to determine each clothes washer's energy efficiency rating. Under 
DOE's certification, compliance, and enforcement program in 10 CFR part 
429, subpart C, DOE can conduct assessment or enforcement testing to 
determine whether the manufacturer's declared energy test cycles are 
those cycles for a particular wash/rinse temperature combination that 
use the most energy.
e. Manufacturer Default Settings
    A typical clothes washer may allow the consumer to adjust certain 
parameters of a given cycle setting, such as wash/rinse temperature, 
water fill levels, soil level, agitation/tumble operation, spin speed, 
wash time, rinse time, and other optional features such as delay start, 
cycle-finished activity, steam injection, chemical dispensers, and 
signal sounds. For any active wash mode cycle included in the energy 
test cycle, the default manufacturer settings should be used for any 
parameter not explicitly specified by the test procedure because DOE is 
not aware of any data quantifying how often consumers select these 
optional features or deviate from the default manufacturer cycle 
settings. The test procedure specifies wash/rinse temperatures and 
water fill levels for all test cycles, and spin speeds for the RMC test 
cycles. DOE proposes in today's SNOPR to clarify in the definition of 
the energy test cycle that for any cycle setting tested under part (A) 
or (B), the manufacturer default parameters shall be used, except for 
the temperature selection, if necessary.
f. Suggested Alternative Definitions
    Several manufacturers suggested alternate definitions for the 
energy test cycle, including specific suggestions for part (B), as 
described previously in sections III.B.2 and III.B.3. In response to 
the August 2011 SNOPR, the Joint Manufacturers proposed language for 
part (B) that would require testing the extra-hot cycle on water 
heating clothes washers. The proposal suggested that in the case of 
multiple such cycles, the cycle using the most energy at the 
manufacturer default setting must be chosen.
    As described in the previous sections, DOE proposes that a cycle 
setting's energy consumption be used to determine whether that setting 
should be included under part (B). However, the definition proposed by 
the Joint Manufacturers would require testing only the extra-hot 
temperature setting under part (B). Under this proposal, if other wash/
rinse temperature combinations such as warm wash/warm rinse or hot 
wash/cold rinse were also locked out of the Normal setting, they would 
not be required for testing. In contrast, GE's proposed definition for 
part (B), submitted in response to the September 2010 NOPR, as 
discussed previously, would require testing all wash/rinse temperature 
selections available on the machine and not included in the Normal 
setting.
    DOE's proposed definition of energy test cycle would require 
testing of all wash/rinse temperature combinations available on the 
machine, not just the extra-hot temperature setting, to ensure that the 
definition is representative of average consumer use. As stated 
previously, DOE's proposed definition of energy test cycle would 
include any temperature combination for which a TUF has been developed. 
As stated above, if a ``locked out'' temperature combination exists on 
at least one alternate cycle setting, a setting with that temperature 
combination should be included in the energy test cycle because the 
TUFs indicate that a consumer will switch to one of the alternate 
settings to obtain that wash/rinse temperature combination.
    Therefore, DOE proposes in today's SNOPR to use the criteria 
suggested by the Joint Manufacturers for determining which cycle 
setting to choose under part (B), and to use language suggested by GE 
to require testing all wash/rinse temperature combinations available on 
the machine not included in the Normal setting. DOE's revised proposal 
for part (B) of the energy test cycle definition is set forth in 
section III.A.
g. Definition of the Start and End of Each Cycle
    As described previously, NEEA commented that the energy test cycle 
does not clearly define the start and end of each wash cycle tested 
under the energy test cycle. DOE has observed through its own testing 
that delay start and cycle finished features are typically available as 
optional features which are not activated by default. Thus, they would 
not be activated during the energy test cycle, and the start and finish 
of each wash cycle would be unambiguous. DOE acknowledges that as delay 
start and cycle finished features become more prevalent in the market, 
however, clothes washers could be manufactured that activate some of 
these features by default during any of the wash cycles comprising the 
energy test cycle. Therefore, DOE proposes to define the start and end 
of the energy test cycle more clearly.
    In the August 2011 SNOPR, DOE proposed adding definitions for 
active washing mode, delay start mode, and cycle finished mode. DOE 
believes that these three definitions can be used to clarify the start 
and end of the energy test cycle. DOE proposes in today's SNOPR to 
specify that each cycle included as part of the energy test cycle 
comprises the entire active washing

[[Page 69877]]

mode, and excludes any delay start or cycle finished modes.

C. Compliance With Other EPCA Requirements

1. Test Burden
    EPCA requires that any test procedures prescribed or amended under 
this section be reasonably designed to produce test results that 
measure energy efficiency, energy use or estimated annual operating 
cost of a covered product during a representative average use cycle or 
period of use. Test procedures must also not be unduly burdensome to 
conduct.'' (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
    DOE determined that the proposed test procedure amendments in the 
September 2010 NOPR and August 2011 SNOPR satisfy these EPCA 
requirements, as described in those rulemaking documents. The proposals 
in today's SNOPR also satisfy these requirements, as described in the 
following paragraphs.
    Commenters stated that the proposed definition of energy test cycle 
in the September 2010 NOPR and August 2011 SNOPR would be vague and 
could significantly increase the testing burden. Today's proposal is 
intended to provide a clear, objective definition of energy test cycle 
and would require manufacturers to certify to DOE the list of cycle 
settings comprising the energy test cycle for each basic model of its 
clothes washers, so that testing laboratories would know which cycles 
to test. While the proposed definition of the energy test cycle would 
require testing additional wash cycles under part (B) to determine 
which cycle setting has the highest energy consumption, the 
manufacturer already possesses in-depth knowledge about the energy 
characteristics of each wash/rinse cycle offered on its clothes 
washers. Other test laboratories would not be required to conduct 
multiple tests to determine which cycle settings should be included 
under part (B) of the energy test cycle. Therefore, compared to the 
current test procedure, DOE expects that today's proposal could reduce 
the test burden, because it would remove the existing uncertainty as to 
which cycle settings should be selected.
2. Commercial Clothes Washers
    The test procedure for commercial clothes washers is required to be 
the same test procedure established for residential clothes washers. 
(42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) Thus, the test procedure set forth in appendix 
J1 of subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 is also currently used to test 
commercial clothes washers. (10 CFR part 431.154) The definition of the 
energy test cycle proposed in today's SNOPR could affect the 
measurement of active mode energy use. DOE notes that 42 U.S.C. 
6293(e)(3) provides that models of covered products in use before the 
date on which an amended energy conservation standard (developed using 
the amended test procedure pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2)) becomes 
effective that comply with the energy conservation standard applicable 
to such covered products on the day before such date are deemed to 
comply with the amended standard. The same is true of revisions of such 
models that come into use after such date and have the same energy 
efficiency, energy use or water use characteristics.

IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review

    The regulatory reviews conducted for this proposed rule are 
identical to those conducted for the August 2011 SNOPR. An update to 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act certification is set forth below. Please 
see the August 2011 SNOPR for further details.

Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IFRA) for 
any rule that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the 
agency certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
As required by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small 
Entities in Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE 
published procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that 
the potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the DOE rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made 
its procedures and policies available on the Office of the General 
Counsel's Web site: http://www.gc.doe.gov.
    DOE reviewed today's supplemental proposed rule under the 
provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the procedures and 
policies published on February 19, 2003. DOE tentatively concluded that 
the September 2010 NOPR and August 2011 SNOPR would not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities, and 
today's SNOPR contains no revisions to that proposal that would result 
in a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. The 
factual basis for this certification is as follows:
    The Small Business Administration (SBA) considers a business entity 
to be small business, if, together with its affiliates, it employs less 
than a threshold number of workers specified in 13 CFR part 121. These 
size standards and codes are established by the North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS). The threshold number for NAICS 
classification code 335224, which applies to household laundry 
equipment manufacturers and includes clothes washer manufacturers, is 
1,000 employees. Searches of the SBA Web site \2\ to identify clothes 
washer manufacturers within these NAICS codes identified, out of 
approximately 17 manufacturers supplying clothes washers in the United 
States, only one small business. This small business manufactures 
laundry appliances, including clothes washers. The other manufacturers 
supplying clothes washers are large, multinational corporations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ A searchable database of certified small businesses is 
available online at: http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule would amend DOE's test procedure by revising the 
definition of energy test cycle to more precisely define which cycles 
are required for testing under part (B) of the definition.
    DOE believes these additional requirements would not be expected to 
impose a significant economic burden on entities subject to the 
applicable testing requirements. Today's proposal is intended to 
provide a clear, objective definition of energy test cycle, which is 
expected to reduce the testing burden. The provisions in today's SNOPR 
would also require manufacturers to report to DOE the cycle settings 
comprising the complete energy test cycle for each basic model. 
Manufacturers already possess in-depth knowledge about the energy 
characteristics of each wash/rinse cycle offered on their clothes 
washers, so DOE expects manufacturers to experience little or no 
additional test burden due to today's proposed revisions.
    For these reasons, DOE certifies that if adopted, the September 
2010 NOPR, as modified by the August 2011 SNOPR and today's SNOPR, 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a regulatory 
flexibility analysis for this rulemaking. DOE has previously 
transmitted the certification and supporting statement of factual basis 
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA for review under 5 U.S.C. 
605(b).

[[Page 69878]]

DOE seeks comment on the updated certification set forth above.

V. Public Participation

A. Submission of Comments

    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
proposed rule before or after the public meeting, but no later than the 
date provided in the DATES section at the beginning of this proposed 
rule. Interested parties may submit comments using any of the methods 
described in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this notice.
    Submitting comments via regulations.gov. The http://www.regulations.gov web page will require you to provide your name and 
contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE 
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be 
publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization 
name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your 
comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, 
DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
    However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you 
include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment. 
Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not 
be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your 
comment. Persons viewing comments will see only first and last names, 
organization names, correspondence containing comments, and any 
documents submitted with the comments.
    Do not submit to regulations.gov information for which disclosure 
is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and commercial or 
financial information (hereinafter referred to as Confidential Business 
Information (CBI)). Comments submitted through regulations.gov cannot 
be claimed as CBI. Comments received through the Web site will waive 
any CBI claims for the information submitted. For information on 
submitting CBI, see the Confidential Business Information section.
    DOE processes submissions made through regulations.gov before 
posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being 
submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed 
simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several 
weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that regulations.gov 
provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.
    Submitting comments via email, hand delivery, or mail. Comments and 
documents submitted via email, hand delivery, or mail also will be 
posted to regulations.gov. If you do not want your personal contact 
information to be publicly viewable, do not include it in your comment 
or any accompanying documents. Instead, provide your contact 
information on a cover letter. Include your first and last names, email 
address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. The cover 
letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any 
comments
    Include contact information each time you submit comments, data, 
documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via mail or hand 
delivery, please provide all items on a CD, if feasible. It is not 
necessary to submit printed copies. No facsimiles (faxes) will be 
accepted.
    Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE 
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or 
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that 
are not secured, written in English, and are free of any defects or 
viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or any form of 
encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature 
of the author.
    Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the 
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters 
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled 
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting 
time.
    Confidential Business Information. According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any 
person submitting information that he or she believes to be 
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via 
email, postal mail, or hand delivery two well-marked copies: One copy 
of the document marked confidential including all the information 
believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked non-
confidential with the information believed to be confidential deleted. 
Submit these documents via email or on a CD, if feasible. DOE will make 
its own determination about the confidential status of the information 
and treat it according to its determination.
    Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat 
submitted information as confidential include: (1) A description of the 
items; (2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as 
confidential within the industry; (3) whether the information is 
generally known by or available from other sources; (4) whether the 
information has previously been made available to others without 
obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the 
competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from 
public disclosure; (6) when such information might lose its 
confidential character due to the passage of time; and (7) why 
disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.
    It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public 
docket, without change and as received, including any personal 
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be 
exempt from public disclosure). Approval of the Office of the Secretary
    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this proposed 
rule.

List of Subjects

10 CFR Part 429

    Confidential business information, Energy conservation, Household 
appliances, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

10 CFR Part 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Small 
businesses.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2011.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE proposes to amend parts 
429 and 430 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set 
forth below:

PART 429--CERTIFICATION, COMPLIANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT FOR CONSUMER 
PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

    1. The authority citation for part 429 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 6291-6317.

    2. Section 429.20 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2)(i) 
introductory text, (a)(2)(ii) introductory text, and (b)(2) to read as 
follows:

[[Page 69879]]

Sec.  429.20  Residential clothes washers.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) Any represented value of the water factor, integrated water 
factor, the estimated annual operating cost, the energy or water 
consumption, or other measure of energy or water consumption of a basic 
model for which consumers would favor lower values shall be greater 
than or equal to the higher of:
* * * * *
    (ii) Any represented value of the modified energy factor, 
integrated modified energy factor, or other measure of energy or water 
consumption of a basic model for which consumers would favor higher 
values shall be less than or equal to the lower of:
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Pursuant to Sec.  429.12(b)(13), a certification report shall 
include the following public product-specific information: The modified 
energy factor (MEF) in cubic feet per kilowatt hour per cycle (cu ft/
kWh/cycle), and the capacity in cubic feet (cu ft). For standard-size 
residential clothes washers, a water factor (WF) in gallons per cycle 
per cubic feet (gal/cycle/cu ft). After the use of appendix J2 becomes 
mandatory, a list of all cycle settings comprising the complete energy 
test cycle for each basic model.

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

    3. The authority citation for Part 430 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

    4. Section 430.3 is amended by:
    a. Redesignating paragraphs (c) through (o) as paragraphs (d) 
through (p);
    b. Adding new paragraph (c);
    c. Revising newly designated paragraph (m)(2).
    The additions read as follows:

Sec.  430.3  Materials incorporated by reference.

* * * * *
    (c) AATCC. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, 
P.O. Box 1215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, 919-549-8141, or go to 
http://www.aatcc.org.
    (1) AATCC Test Method 79-2010, Absorbency of Textiles, Revised 
2010, IBR approved for appendix J2 to subpart B.
    (2) AATCC Test Method 118-2007, Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon 
Resistance Test, Revised 2007, IBR approved for appendix J2 to Subpart 
B.
    (3) AATCC Test Method 135-2010, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics 
after Home Laundering, Revised 2010, IBR approved for appendix J2 to 
subpart B.
* * * * *
    (m) * * *
    (2) IEC Standard 62301 (``IEC 62301''), Household electrical 
appliances--Measurement of standby power, Edition 2.0, 2011-01, IBR 
approved for appendix J2 to subpart B.
* * * * *
    5. Section 430.23 is amended by revising paragraph (j) to read as 
follows:

Sec.  430.23  Test procedures for the measurement of energy and water 
consumption.

* * * * *
    (j) Clothes washers. (1) The estimated annual operating cost for 
automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers must be rounded off to the 
nearest dollar per year and is defined as follows:
    (i) Before use of appendix J2 becomes mandatory,
    (A) When electrically heated water is used,

(N1 x ETE1 x CKWH)

Where,

N1 = the representative average residential clothes 
washer use of 392 cycles per year according to appendix J1,
ETE1 = the total per-cycle energy consumption when 
electrically heated water is used, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
determined according to section 4.1.7 of appendix J1, and
CKWH = the representative average unit cost, in dollars 
per kilowatt-hour, as provided by the Secretary.

    (B) When gas-heated or oil-heated water is used,

N1 x ((MET1 x CKWH) + 
(HETG1 x CBTU)))

Where,
N1 and CKWH are defined in paragraph 
(j)(1)(i)(A) of this section,
MET1 = the total weighted per-cycle machine electrical 
energy consumption, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined 
according to section 4.1.6 of appendix J1,
HETG1 = the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption 
using gas-heated or oil-heated water, in Btu per cycle, determined 
according to section 4.1.4 of appendix J1, and
CBTU = the representative average unit cost, in dollars 
per Btu for oil or gas, as appropriate, as provided by the 
Secretary.

    (ii) After use of appendix J2 becomes mandatory (see the note at 
the beginning of appendix J2),
    (A) When electrically heated water is used,

(N2 x (ETE2 + ETSO) x CKWH)

Where,

N2 = the representative average residential clothes 
washer use of 295 cycles per year according to appendix J2,
ETE2 = the total per-cycle energy consumption when 
electrically heated water is used, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
determined according to section 4.1.7 of appendix J2,
ETSO = the per-cycle combined low-power mode energy 
consumption, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined according to 
section 4.4 of appendix J2, and
CKWH is defined in paragraph (j)(1)(i)(A) of this 
section.

    (B) When gas-heated or oil-heated water is used,

(N2 x ((MET2 + ETSO) x 
CKWH) + (HETG2 x CBTU))

Where,

N2 and ETSO are defined in (j)(1)(ii)(A) of 
this section,
MET2 = the total weighted per-cycle machine electrical 
energy consumption, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, determined 
according to section 4.1.6 of appendix J2,
CKWH is defined in (j)(1)(i)(A) of this section,
HETG2 = the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption 
using gas-heated or oil-heated water, in Btu per cycle, determined 
according to section 4.1.4 of appendix J2,
CBTU is defined in (j)(1)(i)(B) of this section.

    (2) (i) The modified energy factor for automatic and semi-automatic 
clothes washers is determined according to section 4.4 of appendix J1 
before appendix J2 becomes mandatory and section 4.5 of appendix J2 
when appendix J2 becomes mandatory. The result shall be rounded off to 
the nearest 0.01 cubic foot per kilowatt-hour per cycle.
    (ii) The integrated modified energy factor for automatic and semi-
automatic clothes washers is determined according to section 4.6 of 
appendix J2 when appendix J2 becomes mandatory. The result shall be 
rounded off to the nearest 0.01 cubic foot per kilowatt-hour per cycle.
    (3) Other useful measures of energy consumption for automatic or 
semi-automatic clothes washers shall be those measures of energy 
consumption which the Secretary determines are likely to assist 
consumers in making purchasing decisions and which are derived from the 
application of appendix J1 before the date that appendix J2 becomes 
mandatory or appendix J2 upon the date that appendix J2 becomes 
mandatory. In addition, the annual water consumption of a clothes 
washer can be determined by the product of:
    (i) Before appendix J2 becomes mandatory, the representative 
average-use of 392 cycles per year and the total weighted per-cycle 
water consumption in gallons per cycle determined according to section 
4.2.2 of appendix

[[Page 69880]]

J1. The water consumption factor can be determined according to section 
4.2.3 of appendix J1, with the result rounded off to the nearest 0.1 
gallon per cycle per cubic foot. The remaining moisture content can be 
determined according to section 3.8 of appendix J1, with the result 
rounded off to the nearest 0.1 percent.
    (ii) After appendix J2 becomes mandatory, the representative 
average-use of 295 cycles per year and the total weighted per-cycle 
water consumption for all wash cycles, in gallons per cycle, determined 
according to section 4.2.11 of appendix J2. The water consumption 
factor can be determined according to section 4.2.12 of appendix J2, 
with the result rounded off to the nearest 0.1 gallon per cycle per 
cubic foot. The integrated water consumption factor can be determined 
according to section 4.2.13 of appendix J2, with the result rounded off 
to the nearest 0.1 gallon per cycle per cubic foot. The remaining 
moisture content can be determined according to section 3.8 of appendix 
J2, with the result rounded off to the nearest 0.1 percent.
* * * * *

Appendix J to Subpart B of Part 430--[Removed]

    6. Appendix J to subpart B of part 430 is removed.

Appendix J1 to Subpart B of Part 430--[Amended]

    7. Appendix J1 to subpart B of part 430 is amended by:
    a. Revising the introductory text after the appendix heading;
    b. Revising section 1.22;
    c. Removing sections 2.6.1.1 through 2.6.1.2.4;
    d. Revising section 2.6.3.1;
    e. Revising section 2.10;
    f. Revising section 3.6;
    g. Revising section 4.1.4;
    h. Revising section 4.2; and
    i. Revising section 5.

The revisions read as follows:

Appendix J1 to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers

    Appendix J1 is effective until the compliance date of any 
amended standards that address standby and off mode power 
consumption for residential clothes washers. After this date, all 
residential clothes washers shall be tested using the provisions of 
Appendix J2.
* * * * *
    1.22 Cold rinse means the coldest rinse temperature available on 
the machine.
* * * * *
    2.6.3.1 Perform 5 complete normal wash-rinse-spin cycles, the 
first two with current AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3 and the 
last three without detergent. Place the test cloth in a clothes 
washer set at the maximum water level. Wash the load for ten minutes 
in soft water (17 ppm hardness or less) using 27.0 grams + 4.0 grams 
per lb of cloth load of AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3. The wash 
temperature is to be controlled to 135 [deg]F  5 [deg]F 
(57.2 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C) and the rinse temperature is 
to be controlled to 60 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C 
 2.8 [deg]C). Repeat the cycle with detergent and then 
repeat the cycle three additional times without detergent, bone 
drying the load between cycles (total of five wash and rinse 
cycles).
* * * * *
    2.10 Wash time setting. If one wash time is prescribed in the 
energy test cycle, that shall be the wash time setting; otherwise, 
the wash time setting shall be the higher of either the minimum or 
70 percent of the maximum wash time available in the energy test 
cycle, regardless of the labeling of suggested dial locations. If 
the clothes washer is equipped with an electromechanical dial 
controlling wash time, reset the dial to the minimum wash time and 
then turn it in the direction of increasing wash time to reach the 
appropriate setting. If the appropriate setting is passed, return 
the dial to the minimum wash time and then turn in the direction of 
increasing wash time until the setting is reached.
* * * * *
    3.6 ``Cold Wash'' (Minimum Wash Temperature Selection). Water 
and electrical energy consumption shall be measured for each water 
fill level or test load size as specified in sections 3.6.1 through 
3.6.3 of this appendix for the coldest wash temperature selection 
available. For a clothes washer that offers two or more wash 
temperature settings labeled as cold, such as ``Cold'' and ``Tap 
Cold'', the setting with the minimum wash temperature shall be 
considered the cold wash. If any of the other cold wash temperature 
settings add hot water to raise the wash temperature above the cold 
water supply temperature, as defined in section 2.3 of this 
appendix, those setting(s) shall be considered warm wash setting(s), 
as defined in section 1.18 of this appendix. If none of the cold 
wash temperature settings add hot water for any of the water fill 
levels or test load sizes required for the energy test cycle, the 
wash temperature setting labeled as ``Cold'' shall be considered the 
cold wash, and the other wash temperature setting(s) labeled as cold 
shall not be required for testing.
* * * * *

4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements.

* * * * *
    4.1.4 Total per-cycle hot water energy consumption using gas-
heated or oil-heated water. Calculate for the energy test cycle the 
per-cycle hot water consumption, HETG, using gas-heated 
or oil-heated water, expressed in Btu per cycle (or megajoules per 
cycle) and defined as:
HETG = HET x 1/e x 3412 Btu/kWh or 
HETG = HET x 1/e x 3.6 MJ/kWh

Where:
e = Nominal gas or oil water heater efficiency = 0.75.
HET = As defined in 4.1.3.
* * * * *
    4.2 Water consumption of clothes washers.
* * * * *

5. Test Loads

                                                               Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Container volume                               Minimum load                    Maximum load                    Average load
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              cu. ft. >= =  0.10 lbs (0.05 kg).

* * * * *
    6. Add a new appendix J2 to subpart B of part 430 to read as 
follows:

Appendix J2 to Subpart B of Part 430-Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Automatic and Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers

    Appendix J1 is effective until the compliance date of any 
amended standards for residential clothes washers. After this date, 
all residential clothes washers shall be tested using the provisions 
of Appendix J2.

1. Definitions and Symbols

    1.1 Active mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a main power source, has been activated, and is 
performing one or more of the main functions of washing, soaking, 
tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing water from the 
clothing, or is involved in functions necessary for these main 
functions, such as admitting water into the washer or pumping water 
out of the washer. Active mode also includes delay start, cycle 
finished, and self-clean modes.
    1.2 Active washing mode means a mode in which the clothes washer 
is performing any of the operations included in a complete cycle 
intended for washing a clothing load, including the main functions 
of washing, soaking, tumbling, agitating, rinsing, and/or removing 
water from the clothing.
    1.3 Adaptive control system means a clothes washer control 
system, other than an adaptive water fill control system, which is 
capable of automatically adjusting washer operation or washing 
conditions based on characteristics of the clothes load placed in 
the clothes container, without allowing or requiring consumer 
intervention or actions. The automatic adjustments may, for example, 
include automatic selection, modification, or control of any of the 
following: Wash water temperature, agitation or tumble cycle time, 
number of rinse cycles, and spin speed. The characteristics of the 
clothes load, which could trigger such adjustments, could, for 
example, consist of or be indicated by the presence of either soil, 
soap, suds, or any other additive laundering substitute or 
complementary product.

    Note: Appendix J2 does not provide a means for determining the 
energy consumption of a clothes washer with an adaptive control 
system. A waiver must be obtained pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27 to 
establish an acceptable test procedure for each such clothes washer.

    1.4 Adaptive water fill control system means a clothes washer 
water fill control system which is capable of automatically 
adjusting the water fill level based on the size or weight of the 
clothes load placed in the clothes container, without allowing or 
requiring consumer intervention or actions.
    1.5 Bone-dry means a condition of a load of test cloth which has 
been dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 
minutes, removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again 
for 10 minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 
percent or less.
    1.6 Clothes container means the compartment within the clothes 
washer that

[[Page 69882]]

holds the clothes during the operation of the machine.
    1.7 Cold rinse means the coldest rinse temperature available on 
the machine.
    1.8 Combined low-power mode means the aggregate of available 
modes other than active washing mode and self-clean mode, including 
inactive mode, off mode, delay start mode, and cycle finished mode.
    1.9 Compact means a clothes washer which has a clothes container 
capacity of less than 1.6 ft\3\ (45 L).
    1.10 Cycle finished mode means an active mode which provides 
continuous status display following operation in active washing 
mode.
    1.11 Deep rinse cycle means a rinse cycle in which the clothes 
container is filled with water to a selected level and the clothes 
load is rinsed by agitating it or tumbling it through the water.
    1.12 Delay start mode means an active mode in which activation 
of active washing mode is facilitated by a timer.
    1.13 Energy test cycle for a basic model means:
    (A) The cycle setting recommended by the manufacturer for 
washing cotton or linen clothes, and includes all wash/rinse 
temperature selections offered in that cycle setting, and
    (B) If the cycle setting described in (A) does not include all 
wash/rinse temperature combinations available on the clothes washer, 
the energy test cycle shall also include the alternate cycle 
setting(s) offering these wash/rinse temperature combination(s), 
tested at the wash/rinse temperature combinations not available on 
the cycle setting described in (A).
    Where multiple alternate cycle settings offer a wash/rinse 
temperature combination not available on the cycle setting 
recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, 
the cycle setting certified by the manufacturer to have the highest 
energy consumption, as measured according to section 2.13, shall be 
included in the energy test cycle.
    (C) All cycle settings included under part (A) and part (B) 
shall be tested using each appropriate load size as defined in 
section 2.8 and Table 5.1.
    (D) For any cycle setting tested under (A) or (B), the 
manufacturer default settings shall be used, except for the 
temperature selection, if necessary. This includes wash conditions 
such as agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin speed(s), wash 
times, rinse times, and all other wash parameters or optional 
features applicable to that cycle, including water heating time for 
water heating clothes washers. Each wash cycle included as part of 
the energy test cycle shall comprise the entire active washing mode 
and exclude any delay start or cycle finished modes.
    1.14 IEC 62301 means the test standard published by the 
International Electrotechnical Commission, entitled ``Household 
electrical appliances--Measurement of standby power,'' Publication 
62301, Edition 2.0 2011-01 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  
430.3).
    1.15 Inactive mode means a standby mode that facilitates the 
activation of active mode by remote switch (including remote 
control), internal sensor, or timer, or that provides continuous 
status display.
    1.16 Integrated modified energy factor means the quotient of the 
cubic foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes container divided by 
the total clothes washer energy consumption per cycle, with such 
energy consumption expressed as the sum of:
    (a) The machine electrical energy consumption;
    (b) The hot water energy consumption;
    (c) The energy required for removal of the remaining moisture in 
the wash load;
    (d) The combined low-power mode energy consumption; and
    (e) The self-clean energy consumption, as applicable.
    1.17 Integrated water consumption factor means the quotient of 
the total clothes washer water consumption per cycle in gallons, 
with such water consumption expressed as the sum of the total 
weighted per-cycle water consumption and the per-cycle self-clean 
water consumption, divided by the cubic foot (or liter) capacity of 
the clothes washer.
    1.18 Load use factor means the percentage of the total number of 
wash loads that a user would wash a particular size (weight) load.
    1.19 Manual control system means a clothes washer control system 
which requires that the consumer make the choices that determine 
washer operation or washing conditions, such as, for example, wash/
rinse temperature selections, and wash time before starting the 
cycle.
    1.20 Manual water fill control system means a clothes washer 
water fill control system which requires the consumer to determine 
or select the water fill level.
    1.21 Modified energy factor means the quotient of the cubic foot 
(or liter) capacity of the clothes container divided by the total 
clothes washer energy consumption per cycle, with such energy 
consumption expressed as the sum of the machine electrical energy 
consumption, the hot water energy consumption, and the energy 
required for removal of the remaining moisture in the wash load.
    1.22 Non-water-heating clothes washer means a clothes washer 
which does not have an internal water heating device to generate hot 
water.
    1.23 Off mode means a mode in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a mains power source and is not providing any active or 
standby mode function, and where the mode may persist for an 
indefinite time. An indicator that only shows the user that the 
product is in the off position is included within the classification 
of an off mode.
    1.24 Self-clean mode means an active clothes washer operating 
mode that is:
    (a) Dedicated to cleaning, deodorizing, or sanitizing the 
clothes washer by eliminating sources of odor, bacteria, mold, and 
mildew;
    (b) Recommended to be run intermittently by the manufacturer; 
and
    (c) Separate from clothes washing cycles.
    1.25 Spray rinse cycle means a rinse cycle in which water is 
sprayed onto the clothes for a period of time without maintaining 
any specific water level in the clothes container.
    1.26 Standard means a clothes washer which has a clothes 
container capacity of 1.6 ft\3\ (45 L) or greater.
    1.27 Standby mode means any modes in which the clothes washer is 
connected to a mains power source and offers one or more of the 
following user oriented or protective functions that may persist for 
an indefinite time:
    (a) To facilitate the activation of other modes (including 
activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote switch 
(including remote control), internal sensor, or timer;
    (b) Continuous functions, including information or status 
displays (including clocks) or sensor-based functions. A timer is a 
continuous clock function (which may or may not be associated with a 
display) that provides regular scheduled tasks (e.g., switching) and 
that operates on a continuous basis.
    1.28 Steam cycle means a wash cycle in which steam is injected 
into the clothes container.
    1.29 Symbol usage. The following identity relationships are 
provided to help clarify the symbology used throughout this 
procedure.
    B--Part B of the Energy Test Cycle
    C--Capacity
    C (with subscripts)--Cold Water Consumption
    D--Energy Consumption for Removal of Moisture from Test Load
    E--Electrical Energy Consumption
    F--Load Usage Factor
    H--Hot Water Consumption
    HE--Hot Water Energy Consumption
    ME--Machine Electrical Energy Consumption
    P--Power
    Q--Water Consumption
    RMC--Remaining Moisture Content
    S--Annual Hours
    TUF--Temperature Use Factor
    V--Temperature-Weighted Hot Water Consumption
    W--Mass of Water
    WC--Weight of Test Load After Extraction
    WI--Initial Weight of Dry Test Load

    Subscripts:

    a or avg--Average Test Load
    c--Cold Wash (minimum wash temp.)
    corr--Corrected (RMC values)
    h--Hot Wash (maximum wash temp.  135 [deg]F (57.2 
[deg]C))
    n--Minimum Test Load
    o--Off Mode
    oi--Combined Off and Inactive Modes
    T--Total
    w--Warm Wash
    ww--Warm Wash/Warm Rinse
    x--Maximum Test Load
    The following examples are provided to show how the above 
symbols can be used to define variables:

Emx = ``Electrical Energy Consumption'' for an ``Extra 
Hot Wash'' and ``Maximum Test Load''
Ra = ``Hot Water Consumed by Warm Rinse'' for the 
``Average Test Load''

[[Page 69883]]

TUFm = ``Temperature Use Factor'' for an ``Extra Hot 
Wash''
HEmin = ``Hot Water Energy Consumption'' for the 
``Minimum Test Load''
Qsc = ``Total Water Consumption'' for ``Self Clean''
Pia = ``Power'' in ``Inactive Mode''
So = ``Annual Hours'' in ``Off Mode''
    1.30 Temperature use factor means, for a particular wash/rinse 
temperature setting, the percentage of the total number of wash 
loads that an average user would wash with that setting.
    1.31 Thermostatically controlled water valves means clothes 
washer controls that have the ability to sense and adjust the hot 
and cold supply water.
    1.32 Uniformly distributed warm wash temperature selection(s) 
means (A) Multiple warm wash selections for which the warm wash 
water temperatures have a linear relationship with all discrete warm 
wash selections when the water temperatures are plotted against 
equally spaced consecutive warm wash selections between the hottest 
warm wash and the coldest warm wash. If the warm wash has infinite 
selections, the warm wash water temperature has a linear 
relationship with the distance on the selection device (e.g., dial 
angle or slide movement) between the hottest warm wash and the 
coldest warm wash. The criteria for a linear relationship as 
specified above is that the difference between the actual water 
temperature at any warm wash selection and the point where that 
temperature is depicted on the temperature/selection line formed by 
connecting the warmest and the coldest warm selections is less than 
 5 percent. In all cases, the mean water temperature of 
the warmest and the coldest warm selections must coincide with the 
mean of the ``hot wash'' (maximum wash temperature  3.8 [deg]F ( 2.1 
[deg]C); or (B) on a clothes washer with only one warm wash 
temperature selection, a warm wash temperature selection with a 
water temperature that coincides with the mean of the ``hot wash'' 
(maximum wash temperature  3.8 [deg]F ( 2.1 [deg]C).
    1.33 Warm rinse means the hottest rinse temperature available on 
the machine.
    1.34 Warm wash means all wash temperature selections that are 
below the maximum wash temperature 240, or 120/208Y volts as applicable to the particular terminal 
block wiring system and within 2 percent of the nameplate frequency 
as specified by the manufacturer. If the clothes washer has a dual 
voltage conversion capability, conduct test at the highest voltage 
specified by the manufacturer.
    2.2.2 Supply voltage waveform. For the combined low-power mode 
testing, maintain the electrical supply voltage waveform indicated 
in Section 4, Paragraph 4.3.2 of IEC 62301. If the power measuring 
instrument used for testing is unable to measure and record the 
total harmonic content during the test measurement period, it is 
acceptable to measure and record the total harmonic content 
immediately before and after the test measurement period.
    2.3 Supply Water.
    2.3.1 Clothes washers in which electrical energy consumption or 
water energy consumption are affected by the inlet water 
temperature. (For example, water heating clothes washers or clothes 
washers with thermostatically controlled water valves.) The 
temperature of the hot water supply at the water inlets shall not 
exceed 135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C) and the cold water supply at the 
water inlets shall not exceed 60 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C). A water meter 
shall be installed in both the hot and cold water lines to measure 
water consumption.
    2.3.2 Clothes washers in which electrical energy consumption and 
water energy consumption are not affected by the inlet water 
temperature. The temperature of the hot water supply shall be 
maintained at 135 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C) and the cold water supply shall be maintained at 
60 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C  2.8 
[deg]C). A water meter shall be installed in both the hot and cold 
water lines to measure water consumption.
    2.4 Water pressure. The static water pressure at the hot and 
cold water inlet connection of the clothes washer shall be 
maintained at 35 pounds per square inch gauge (psig)  
2.5 psig (241.3 kPa  17.2 kPa) when the water is 
flowing. The static water pressure for a single water inlet 
connection shall be maintained at 35 psig  2.5 psig 
(241.3 kPa  17.2 kPa) when the water is flowing. A water 
pressure gauge shall be installed in both the hot and cold water 
lines to measure water pressure.
    2.5 Instrumentation. Perform all test measurements using the 
following instruments as appropriate:
    2.5.1 Weighing scales.
    2.5.1.1 Weighing scale for test cloth. The scale shall have a 
resolution of no larger than 0.2 oz (5.7 g) and a maximum error no 
greater than 0.3 percent of the measured value.
    2.5.1.2 Weighing scale for clothes container capacity 
measurement. The scale should have a resolution no larger than 0.50 
lbs (0.23 kg) and a maximum error no greater than 0.5 percent of the 
measured value.
    2.5.2 Watt-hour meter. The watt-hour meter shall have a 
resolution no larger than 1 Wh (3.6 kJ) and a maximum error no 
greater than 2 percent of the measured value for any demand greater 
than 50 Wh (180.0 kJ).
    2.5.3 Watt meter. The watt meter used to measure combined low-
power mode power consumption shall comply with the requirements 
specified in Section 4, Paragraph 4.4 of IEC 62301. If the power 
measuring instrument used for testing is unable to measure and 
record the crest factor, power factor, or maximum current ratio 
during the test measurement period, it is acceptable to measure and 
record the crest factor, power factor, and maximum current ratio 
immediately before and after the test measurement period.
    2.5.4 Temperature measuring device. The device shall have an 
error no greater than  1 [deg]F ( 0.6 
[deg]C) over the range being measured.
    2.5.5 Water meter. The water meter shall have a resolution no 
larger than 0.1 gallons (0.4 liters) and a maximum error no greater 
than 2 percent for the water flow rates being measured.
    2.5.6 Water pressure gauge. The water pressure gauge shall have 
a resolution of 1 pound per square inch gauge (psig) (6.9 kPa) and 
shall have an error no greater than 5 percent of any measured value.
    2.6 Test cloths.
    2.6.1 Energy Test Cloth. The energy test cloth shall be made 
from energy test cloth material, as specified in section 2.6.4 of 
this appendix, that is 24  \1/2\ inches by 36  \1/2\ inches (61.0  1.3 cm by 91.4  
1.3 cm) and has been hemmed to 22  \1/2\ inches by 34 
 \1/2\ inches (55.9  1.3 cm by 86.4  1.3 cm) before washing. The energy test cloth shall be clean 
and shall not be used for more than 60 test runs (after 
preconditioning as specified in 2.6.3 of this appendix). All energy 
test cloth must be permanently marked identifying the lot number of 
the material. Mixed lots of material shall not be used for testing 
the clothes washers.
    2.6.2 Energy Stuffer Cloth. The energy stuffer cloth shall be 
made from energy test cloth material, as specified in section 2.6.4 
of this appendix, and shall consist of pieces of material that are 
12  \1/4\ inches by 12  \1/4\ inches (30.5 
 0.6 cm by 30.5  0.6 cm) and have been 
hemmed to 10  \1/4\ inches by 10  \1/4\ 
inches (25.4  0.6 cm by 25.4  0.6 cm) before 
washing. The energy stuffer cloth shall be clean and shall not be 
used for more than 60 test runs (after preconditioning as specified 
in section 2.6.3 of this appendix). All energy stuffer cloth must be 
permanently marked identifying the lot number of the material. Mixed 
lots of material shall not be used for testing the clothes washers.
    2.6.3 Preconditioning of Test Cloths. The new test cloths, 
including energy test cloths and energy stuffer cloths, shall be 
pre-conditioned in a clothes washer in the following manner:
    2.6.3.1 Perform 5 complete normal wash-rinse-spin cycles, the 
first two with current AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3 and the 
last three without detergent. Place the test cloth in a clothes 
washer set at the maximum water level. Wash the load for ten minutes 
in soft water (17 ppm hardness or less) using 27.0 grams + 4.0 grams 
per lb of cloth load

[[Page 69884]]

of AHAM Standard detergent Formula 3. The wash temperature is to be 
controlled to 135 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C) and the rinse temperature is to be controlled to 
60 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C  2.8 
[deg]C). Repeat the cycle with detergent and then repeat the cycle 
three additional times without detergent, bone drying the load 
between cycles (total of five wash and rinse cycles).
    2.6.4 Energy test cloth material. The energy test cloths and 
energy stuffer cloths shall be made from fabric meeting the 
following specifications. The material should come from a roll of 
material with a width of approximately 63 inches and approximately 
500 yards per roll. However, other sizes may be used if they fall 
within the specifications.
    2.6.4.1 Nominal fabric type. Pure finished bleached cloth made 
with a momie or granite weave, which is nominally 50 percent cotton 
and 50 percent polyester.
    2.6.4.2 The fabric weight specification shall be 5.60  0.25 ounces per square yard (190.0  8.4 g/m\2\).
    2.6.4.3 The thread count shall be 65 x 57 per inch (warp x 
fill),  2 percent.
    2.6.4.4 The warp yarn and filling yarn shall each have fiber 
content of 50 percent 4 percent cotton, with the balance 
being polyester, and be open end spun, 15/1  5 percent 
cotton count blended yarn.
    2.6.4.5 Water repellent finishes, such as fluoropolymer stain 
resistant finishes shall not be applied to the test cloth. The 
absence of such finishes shall be verified by:
    2.6.4.5.1 AATCC Test Method 118-2007, (incorporated by 
reference; see Sec.  430.3), for each new lot of test cloth (when 
purchased from the mill) to confirm the absence of Scotchguard \TM\ 
or other water repellent finish (required scores of ``D'' across the 
board).
    2.6.4.5.2 AATCC Test Method 79-2010, (incorporated by reference; 
see Sec.  430.3), for each new lot of test cloth (when purchased 
from the mill) to confirm the absence of Scotchguard \TM\ or other 
water repellent finish (time to absorb one drop should be on the 
order of 1 second).
    2.6.4.6 The moisture absorption and retention shall be evaluated 
for each new lot of test cloth by the Standard Extractor Remaining 
Moisture Content (RMC) Test specified in section 2.6.5 of this 
appendix.
    2.6.4.6.1 Repeat the Standard Extractor RMC Test in section 
2.6.5 of this appendix three times.
    2.6.4.6.2 An RMC correction curve shall be calculated as 
specified in section 2.6.6 of this appendix.
    2.6.4.7 The maximum shrinkage after preconditioning shall not be 
more than 5 percent on the length and width. Measure per AATCC Test 
Method 135-2010, (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  430.3).
    2.6.5 Standard Extractor RMC Test Procedure. The following 
procedure is used to evaluate the moisture absorption and retention 
characteristics of a lot of test cloth by measuring the RMC in a 
standard extractor at a specified set of conditions. Table 2.6.5 of 
this appendix is the matrix of test conditions. When this matrix is 
repeated 3 times, a total of 60 extractor RMC test runs are 
required. For the purpose of the extractor RMC test, the test cloths 
may be used for up to 60 test runs (after preconditioning as 
specified in section 2.6.3 of this appendix).

                              Table 2.6.5--Matrix of Extractor RMC Test Conditions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Warm soak                       Cold soak
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   15 min. spin     4 min. spin    15 min. spin     4 min. spin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100
200
350
500
650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2.6.5.1 The standard extractor RMC tests shall be run in a North 
Star Engineered Products Inc. (formerly Bock) Model 215 extractor 
(having a basket diameter of 19.5 inches, length of 12 inches, and 
volume of 2.1 ft \3\), with a variable speed drive (North Star 
Engineered Products, P.O. Box 5127, Toledo, OH 43611) or an 
equivalent extractor with same basket design (i.e. diameter, length, 
volume, and hole configuration) and variable speed drive.
    2.6.5.2 Test Load. Test cloths shall be preconditioned in 
accordance with section 2.6.3 of this appendix. The load size shall 
be 8.4 lbs, consistent with section 3.8.1 of this appendix.
    2.6.5.3 Procedure.
    2.6.5.3.1 Record the ``bone-dry'' weight of the test load (WI).
    2.6.5.3.2 Prepare the test load for soak by grouping four test 
cloths into loose bundles. Bundles are created by hanging four 
cloths vertically from one corner and loosely wrapping the test 
cloth onto itself to form the bundle. Bundles are then placed into 
the water for soak. Eight to nine bundles will be formed depending 
on the test load. The ninth bundle may not equal four cloths but can 
incorporate energy stuffer cloths to help offset the size 
difference.
    2.6.5.3.3 Soak the test load for 20 minutes in 10 gallons of 
soft ( 5 [deg]F (38 
[deg]C  3 [deg]C)
    2.6.5.3.4 Remove the test load and allow each of the test cloth 
bundles to drain over the water bath for a maximum of 5 seconds.
    2.6.5.3.5 Manually place the test cloth bundles in the basket of 
the extractor, distributing them evenly by eye. The draining and 
loading process should take less than 1 minute. Spin the load at a 
fixed speed corresponding to the intended centripetal acceleration 
level (measured in units of the acceleration of gravity, g)  1g for the intended time period  5 seconds.
    2.6.5.3.6 Record the weight of the test load immediately after 
the completion of the extractor spin cycle (WC).
    2.6.5.3.7 Calculate the RMC as (WC-WI)/WI.
    2.6.5.3.8 It is not necessary to drain the soak tub if the water 
bath is corrected for water level and temperature before the next 
extraction.
    2.6.5.3.9 It is not necessary to dry the test load in between 
extraction runs. However, the bone dry weight shall be checked after 
every 12 extraction runs to make sure the bone dry weight is within 
tolerance (8.4  0.1 lb).
    2.6.5.3.10 The RMC of the test load shall be measured at five g 
levels: 100 g, 200 g, 350 g, 500 g, and 650 g, using two different 
spin times at each g level: 4 minutes and 15 minutes.
    2.6.5.4 Repeat section 2.6.5.3 of this appendix using soft ( 5 [deg]F.
    2.6.6 Calculation of RMC correction curve.
    2.6.6.1 Average the values of 3 test runs and fill in Table 
2.6.5 of this appendix. Perform a linear least-squares fit to relate 
the standard RMC (RMCstandard) values (shown in Table 
2.6.6.1 of this appendix) to the values measured in section 2.6.5 of 
this appendix:

(RMCcloth): RMCstandard - A x 
RMCcloth + B

where A and B are coefficients of the linear least-squares fit.

[[Page 69885]]

                                Table 2.6.6.1--Standard RMC Values (RMC standard)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          RMC percentage
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                   ``g Force''                               Warm soak                       Cold soak
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   15 min. spin     4 min. spin    15 min. spin     4 min. spin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100.............................................            45.9            49.9            49.7            52.8
200.............................................            35.7            40.4            37.9            43.1
350.............................................            29.6            33.1            30.7            35.8
500.............................................            24.2            28.7            25.5            30.0
650.............................................            23.0            26.4            24.1            28.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2.6.6.2 Perform an analysis of variance test using two factors, 
spin speed and lot, to check the interaction of speed and lot. Use 
the values from Table 2.6.5 and Table 2.6.6.1 of this appendix in 
the calculation. The ``P'' value in the variance analysis shall be 
greater than or equal to 0.1. If the ``P'' value is less than 0.1, 
the test cloth is unacceptable. ``P'' is a theoretically based 
probability of interaction based on an analysis of variance.
    2.6.7 Application of the RMC correction curve.
    2.6.7.1 Using the coefficients A and B calculated in section 
2.6.6.1 of this appendix:

RMCcorr = A x RMC + B

    2.6.7.2 Substitute RMCcorr values in calculations in 
section 3.8 of this appendix.
    2.7 Test Load Sizes. Maximum, minimum, and, when required, 
average test load sizes shall be determined using Table 5.1 of this 
appendix and the clothes container capacity as measured in sections 
3.1.1 through 3.1.5 of this appendix. Test loads shall consist of 
energy test cloths, except that adjustments to the test loads to 
achieve proper weight can be made by the use of energy stuffer 
cloths with no more than 5 stuffer cloths per load.
    2.8 Use of Test Loads. Table 2.8 of this appendix defines the 
test load sizes and corresponding water fill settings which are to 
be used when measuring water and energy consumptions. Adaptive water 
fill control system and manual water fill control system are defined 
in section 1 of this appendix:

                           Table 2.8--Test Load Sizes and Water Fill Settings Required
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Manual water fill control system                        Adaptive water fill control system
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Test load size                Water fill setting          Test load size         Water fill setting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max.................................  Max.....................  Max....................  As determined by the
                                                                                          Clothes Washer.
Min.................................  Min.....................  Avg....................
                                                                Min....................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2.8.1 The test load sizes to be used to measure RMC are 
specified in section 3.8.1 of this appendix.
    2.8.2 Test loads for energy and water consumption measurements 
shall be bone dry prior to the first cycle of the test, and dried to 
a maximum of 104 percent of bone dry weight for subsequent testing.
    2.8.3 Load the energy test cloths by grasping them in the 
center, shaking them to hang loosely and then put them into the 
clothes container prior to activating the clothes washer.
    2.9 Pre-conditioning.
    2.9.1 Non-water-heating clothes washer. If the clothes washer 
has not been filled with water in the preceding 96 hours, pre-
condition it by running it through a cold rinse cycle and then 
draining it to ensure that the hose, pump, and sump are filled with 
water.
    2.9.2 Water-heating clothes washer. If the clothes washer has 
not been filled with water in the preceding 96 hours, or if it has 
not been in the test room at the specified ambient conditions for 8 
hours, pre-condition it by running it through a cold rinse cycle and 
then draining it to ensure that the hose, pump, and sump are filled 
with water.
    2.10 Wash time setting. If one wash time is prescribed in the 
energy test cycle, that shall be the wash time setting; otherwise, 
the wash time setting shall be the higher of either the minimum or 
70 percent of the maximum wash time available in the energy test 
cycle, regardless of the labeling of suggested dial locations. If 
the clothes washer is equipped with an electromechanical dial 
controlling wash time, reset the dial to the minimum wash time and 
then turn it in the direction of increasing wash time to reach the 
appropriate setting. If the appropriate setting is passed, return 
the dial to the minimum wash time and then turn in the direction of 
increasing wash time until the setting is reached.
    2.11 Test room temperature.
    2.11.1 Non-water-heating clothes washer. For combined low-power 
mode testing, maintain room ambient air temperature conditions as 
specified in Section 4, Paragraph 4.2 of IEC 62301 (incorporated by 
reference; see Sec.  430.3).
    2.11.2 Water-heating clothes washer. Maintain the test room 
ambient air temperature at 75 [deg]F  5 [deg]F (23.9 
[deg]C  2.8 [deg]C). For combined low-power mode 
testing, maintain room ambient air temperature conditions as 
specified in Section 4, Paragraph 4.2 of IEC 62301 (incorporated by 
reference; see Sec.  430.3).
    2.12 Bone dryer temperature. The dryer used for bone drying must 
heat the test cloth and energy stuffer cloths above 210 [deg]F (99 
[deg]C).
    2.13 Energy consumption for the purpose of certifying the cycle 
setting(s) to be included in part (B) of the energy test cycle 
definition. Where multiple alternate cycle settings offer a wash/
rinse temperature combination not available on the cycle setting 
recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen clothes, 
the cycle setting with the highest energy consumption, as measured 
according to this section, shall be included in the energy test 
cycle.
    To determine which cycle setting has the highest energy 
consumption, establish the testing conditions set forth in section 2 
of this test procedure. Select the applicable cycle setting and 
temperature combination. Use the manufacturer default settings for 
agitation/tumble operation, soil level, spin speed(s), wash times, 
rinse times, and all other wash parameters or optional features 
applicable to that cycle, including water heating time for water 
heating clothes washers. Each wash cycle tested under this section 
shall comprise the entire active washing mode and exclude any delay 
start or cycle finished modes.
    To identify the cycle setting with the highest energy 
consumption, use the clothes washer's maximum test load size, 
determined from Table 5.1. For clothes washers with a manual water 
fill control system, user-adjustable adaptive water fill control 
system, or adaptive water fill control system with alternate manual 
water fill control system, use the water fill selector setting 
resulting in the maximum water level available for each cycle 
setting.
    Measure each cycle setting's electrical energy consumption 
(EB) and hot water consumption (HB). Calculate 
the total energy

[[Page 69886]]

consumption for each cycle setting (ETB), as follows:

ETB = EB + (HB x T x K)

where:

EB is the electrical energy consumption, expressed in 
kilowatt-hours per cycle.
HB is the hot water consumption, expressed in gallons per 
cycle.
T = temperature rise = 75 [deg]F (41.7 [deg]C)
K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon per degree F = 
0.00240 (0.00114 kWh/L-[deg]C)

3. Test Measurements

    3.1 Clothes container capacity. Measure the entire volume which 
a dry clothes load could occupy within the clothes container during 
washer operation according to the following procedures:
    3.1.1 Place the clothes washer in such a position that the 
uppermost edge of the clothes container opening is leveled 
horizontally, so that the container will hold the maximum amount of 
water.
    3.1.2 Line the inside of the clothes container with 2 mil (0.051 
mm) plastic sheet. All clothes washer components which occupy space 
within the clothes container and which are recommended for use with 
the energy test cycle shall be in place and shall be lined with 2 
mil (0.051 mm) plastic sheet to prevent water from entering any void 
space.
    3.1.3 Record the total weight of the machine before adding 
water.
    3.1.4 Fill the clothes container manually with either 60 [deg]F 
 5 [deg]F (15.6 [deg]C  2.8 [deg]C) or 100 
[deg]F  10 [deg]F (37.8 [deg]C  5.5 [deg]C) 
water, with the door open. For a top-loading, vertical-axis clothes 
washer, fill the clothes container to the uppermost edge of the 
rotating portion, including any balance ring. For a front-loading, 
horizontal-axis clothes washer, fill the clothes container to the 
uppermost edge that is in contact with the door seal. For all 
clothes washers, any volume which cannot be occupied by the clothing 
load during operation must be excluded from the measurement. Measure 
and record the weight of water, W, in pounds.
    3.1.5 The clothes container capacity is calculated as follows:

C = W/d

where:

C = Capacity in cubic feet (liters).
W = Mass of water in pounds (kilograms).
d = Density of water (62.0 lbs/ft\3\ for 100 [deg]F (993 kg/m\3\ for 
37.8 [deg]C) or 62.3 lbs/ft\3\ for 60 [deg]F (998 kg/m\3\ for 15.6 
[deg]C)).

    3.2 Procedure for measuring water and energy consumption values 
on all automatic and semi-automatic washers. All energy consumption 
tests shall be performed under the energy test cycle(s), unless 
otherwise specified. Table 3.2 of this appendix defines the sections 
below which govern tests of particular clothes washers, based on the 
number of wash/rinse temperature selections available on the model, 
and also, in some instances, method of water heating. The procedures 
prescribed are applicable regardless of a clothes washer's washing 
capacity, loading port location, primary axis of rotation of the 
clothes container, and type of control system.
    3.2.1 Inlet water temperature and the wash/rinse temperature 
settings.
    3.2.1.1 For automatic clothes washers set the wash/rinse 
temperature selection control to obtain the wash water temperature 
selection control to obtain the wash water temperature desired 
(extra hot, hot, warm, or cold) and cold rinse, and open both the 
hot and cold water faucets.
    3.2.1.2 For semi-automatic washers: (1) For hot water 
temperature, open the hot water faucet completely and close the cold 
water faucet; (2) for warm inlet water temperature, open both hot 
and cold water faucets completely; (3) for cold water temperature, 
close the hot water faucet and open the cold water faucet 
completely.
    3.2.1.3 Determination of warm wash water temperature(s) to 
decide whether a clothes washer has uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selections. The wash water temperature, Tw, of each warm 
water wash selection shall be calculated or measured.
    For non-water heating clothes washers, calculate Tw as follows:

Tw ([deg]F) = ((Hw x 135 [deg]F) + (Cw x 60 [deg]F))/(Hw + Cw)
    or
Tw ( [deg]C) = ((Hw x 57.2 [deg]C) + (Cw x 15.6 [deg]C))/(Hw + Cw)

where:

Hw = Hot water consumption of a warm wash.
Cw = Cold water consumption of a warm wash.

    For water-heating clothes washers, measure and record the 
temperature of each warm wash selection after fill.
    3.2.2 Total water consumption during the energy test cycle shall 
be measured, including hot and cold water consumption during wash, 
deep rinse, and spray rinse.
    3.2.3 Clothes washers with adaptive water fill/manual water fill 
control systems
    3.2.3.1 Clothes washers with adaptive water fill control system 
and alternate manual water fill control systems. If a clothes washer 
with an adaptive water fill control system allows consumer selection 
of manual controls as an alternative, then both manual and adaptive 
modes shall be tested and, for each mode, the energy consumption 
(HET, MET, and DE) and water 
consumption (QT), values shall be calculated as set forth 
in section 4 of this appendix. Then the average of the two values 
(one from each mode, adaptive and manual) for each variable shall be 
used in section 4 of this appendix for the clothes washer.
    3.2.3.2 Clothes washers with adaptive water fill control system.
    3.2.3.2.1 Not user adjustable. The maximum, minimum, and average 
water levels as defined in the following sections shall be 
interpreted to mean that amount of water fill which is selected by 
the control system when the respective test loads are used, as 
defined in Table 2.8 of this appendix. The load usage factors which 
shall be used when calculating energy consumption values are defined 
in Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.
    3.2.3.2.2 User adjustable. Four tests shall be conducted on 
clothes washers with user adjustable adaptive water fill controls 
which affect the relative wash water levels. The first test shall be 
conducted with the maximum test load and with the adaptive water 
fill control system set in the setting that will give the most 
energy intensive result. The second test shall be conducted with the 
minimum test load and with the adaptive water fill control system 
set in the setting that will give the least energy intensive result. 
The third test shall be conducted with the average test load and 
with the adaptive water fill control system set in the setting that 
will give the most energy intensive result for the given test load. 
The fourth test shall be conducted with the average test load and 
with the adaptive water fill control system set in the setting that 
will give the least energy intensive result for the given test load. 
The energy and water consumption for the average test load and water 
level shall be the average of the third and fourth tests.
    3.2.3.3 Clothes washers with manual water fill control system. 
In accordance with Table 2.8 of this appendix, the water fill 
selector shall be set to the maximum water level available on the 
clothes washer for the maximum test load size and set to the minimum 
water level for the minimum test load size. The load usage factors 
which shall be used when calculating energy consumption values are 
defined in Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

                                        Table 3.2--Test Section Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Max. wash temp. available                135 [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C)
                                               \**\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Wash Temp. Selections.               1               2             > 2               3             > 3
Test Sections Required To Be      ..............  ..............  ..............             3.3             3.3
 Followed.......................
                                  ..............             3.4             3.4  ..............             3.4
                                  ..............  ..............             3.5             3.5             3.5
                                             3.6             3.6             3.6             3.6             3.6
                                  ..............  ..............           * 3.7           * 3.7           * 3.7
                                             3.8             3.8             3.8             3.8             3.8

[[Page 69887]]

 
                                  ..............  ..............  ..............     [dagger]3.9     [dagger]3.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Only applicable to machines with warm rinse.
** Only applicable to water heating clothes washers on which the maximum wash temperature available exceeds 135
  [deg]F (57.2 [deg]C).
[dagger] Only applicable to machines equipped with a steam cycle.

    3.3 ``Extra Hot Wash'' (Max Wash Temp  135 [deg]F 
(57.2 [deg]C)) for water heating clothes washers only. Water and 
electrical energy consumption shall be measured for each water fill 
level and/or test load size as specified in sections 3.3.1 through 
3.3.3 of this appendix for the hottest wash setting available.
    3.3.1 Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hmx), cold water consumption (Cmx), and 
electrical energy consumption (Emx) shall be measured for 
an extra hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, with the controls 
set for the maximum water fill level. The maximum test load size is 
to be used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.3.2 Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hmn), cold water consumption (Cmn), and 
electrical energy consumption (Emn) shall be measured for 
an extra hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, with the controls 
set for the minimum water fill level. The minimum test load size is 
to be used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.3.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers with 
an adaptive water fill control system, measure the values for hot 
water consumption (Hma), cold water consumption 
(Cma), and electrical energy consumption (Ema) 
for an extra hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, with an average 
test load size as determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.4 ``Hot Wash'' (Max Wash Temp x), cold water consumption (Chx), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ehx) shall be measured for 
a hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, with the controls set for 
the maximum water fill level. The maximum test load size is to be 
used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.4.2 Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hhn), cold water consumption (Chn), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ehn) shall be measured for 
a hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, with the controls set for 
the minimum water fill level. The minimum test load size is to be 
used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.4.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers with 
an adaptive water fill control system, measure the values for hot 
water consumption (Hha), cold water consumption 
(Cha), and electrical energy consumption (Eha) 
for a hot wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, with an average test 
load size as determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.5 ``Warm Wash.'' Water and electrical energy consumption shall 
be determined for each water fill level and/or test load size as 
specified in sections 3.5.1 through 3.5.2.3 of this appendix for the 
applicable warm water wash temperature(s) with a cold rinse.
    3.5.1 Clothes washers with uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selection(s). The reportable values to be used for the 
warm water wash setting shall be the arithmetic average of the 
measurements for the hot and cold wash selections. This is a 
calculation only, no testing is required.
    3.5.2 Clothes washers that lack uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selections. For a clothes washer with fewer than four 
discrete warm wash selections, test all warm wash temperature 
selections. For a clothes washer that offers four or more warm wash 
selections, test at all discrete selections, or test at 25 percent, 
50 percent, and 75 percent positions of the temperature selection 
device between the hottest hot (x), cold water consumption (Cwx), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ewx) shall be measured 
with the controls set for the maximum water fill level. The maximum 
test load size is to be used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 
of this appendix.
    3.5.2.2 Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hwn), cold water consumption (Cwn), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ewn) shall be measured 
with the controls set for the minimum water fill level. The minimum 
test load size is to be used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 
of this appendix.
    3.5.2.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers 
with an adaptive water fill control system, measure the values for 
hot water consumption (Hwa), cold water consumption 
(Cwa), and electrical energy consumption (Ewa) 
with an average test load size as determined per Table 5.1 of this 
appendix.
    3.6 ``Cold Wash'' (Minimum Wash Temperature Selection). Water 
and electrical energy consumption shall be measured for each water 
fill level or test load size as specified in sections 3.6.1 through 
3.6.3 of this appendix for the coldest wash temperature selection 
available. For a clothes washer that offers two or more wash 
temperature settings labeled as cold, such as ``Cold'' and ``Tap 
Cold'', the setting with the minimum wash temperature shall be 
considered the cold wash. If any of the other cold wash temperature 
settings add hot water to raise the wash temperature above the cold 
water supply temperature, as defined in section 2.3 of this 
appendix, those setting(s) shall be considered warm wash setting(s), 
as defined in section 1.34 of this appendix. If none of the cold 
wash temperature settings add hot water for any of the water fill 
levels or test load sizes required for the energy test cycle, the 
wash temperature setting labeled as ``Cold'' shall be considered the 
cold wash, and the other wash temperature setting(s) labeled as cold 
shall not be required for testing.
    3.6.1 Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hcx), cold water consumption (Ccx), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ecx) shall be measured for 
a cold wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, with the controls set for 
the maximum water fill level. The maximum test load size is to be 
used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.6.2 Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hcn), cold water consumption (Ccn), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ecn) shall be measured for 
a cold wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, with the controls set for 
the minimum water fill level. The minimum test load size is to be 
used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.6.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers with 
an adaptive water fill control system, measure the values for hot 
water consumption (Hca), cold water consumption 
(Cca), and electrical energy consumption (Eca) 
for a cold wash/cold rinse energy test cycle, with an average test 
load size as determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.7 ``Warm Wash/Warm Rinse.'' Water and electrical energy 
consumption shall be determined for each water fill level and/or 
test load size as specified in sections 3.7.2.1 through 3.7.2.3 of 
this appendix for the applicable warm wash temperature selection as 
described in section 3.7.1 or 3.7.2 of this appendix and the hottest 
available rinse temperature selection.
    3.7.1 Clothes washers with uniformly distributed warm wash 
temperature selection(s). Test the warm wash/warm rinse cycle at the 
wash temperature selection with the temperature selection device at 
the 50 percent position between the hottest hot (X), cold water consumption (CwwX), and 
electrical energy consumption (EwwX) shall be measured 
with the controls set for the maximum water fill level. The maximum 
test load size is to be used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 
of this appendix.
    3.7.2.2 Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hwwn), cold water consumption (Cwwn), and 
electrical energy consumption (Ewwn) shall be measured 
with the controls set for the minimum water fill level. The minimum 
test load size is to be used and shall be determined per Table 5.1 
of this appendix.
    3.7.2.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers 
with an adaptive water fill control system, measure the values for 
hot water consumption (Hwwa), cold water consumption 
(Cwwa), and electrical energy consumption 
(Ewwa) with an average test load size as determined per 
Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.8 Remaining Moisture Content:
    3.8.1 The wash temperature will be the same as the rinse 
temperature for all testing. Use the maximum test load as defined in 
Table 5.1 and section 3.1 of this appendix for testing.
    3.8.2 For clothes washers with cold rinse only:
    3.8.2.1 Record the actual ``bone dry'' weight of the test load 
(WImax), then place the test load in the clothes washer.
    3.8.2.2 Set water level selector to maximum fill.
    3.8.2.3 Run the energy test cycle.
    3.8.2.4 Record the weight of the test load immediately after 
completion of the energy test cycle (WCmax).
    3.8.2.5 Calculate the remaining moisture content of the maximum 
test load, RMCmax, expressed as a percentage and defined 
as:

RMCmax = ((WCmax-WImax)/
WImax) x 100%

    3.8.3 For clothes washers with cold and warm rinse options:
    3.8.3.1 Complete sections 3.8.2.1 through 3.8.2.4 of this 
appendix for cold rinse. Calculate the remaining moisture content of 
the maximum test load for cold rinse, RMCCOLD, expressed 
as a percentage and defined as:

RMCCOLD = ((WCmax-WImax)/
WImax) x 100%

    3.8.3.2 Complete sections 3.8.2.1 through 3.8.2.4 of this 
appendix for warm rinse. Calculate the remaining moisture content of 
the maximum test load for warm rinse, RMCWARM, expressed 
as a percentage and defined as:

RMCWARM = ((WCmax-WImax)/
WImax) x 100%

    3.8.3.3 Calculate the remaining moisture content of the maximum 
test load, RMCmax, expressed as a percentage and defined 
as:

RMCmax = RMCCOLD x (1-TUFr) + 
RMCWARM x (TUFr)

where:

TUFr is the temperature use factor for warm rinse as 
defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix.

    3.8.4 Clothes washers that have options such as multiple 
selections of spin speeds or spin times that result in different RMC 
values and that are available in the energy test cycle, shall be 
tested at the maximum and minimum extremes of the available options, 
excluding any ``no spin'' (zero spin speed) settings, in accordance 
with requirements in section 3.8.2 or 3.8.3 of this appendix. The 
calculated RMCmax,max extraction and 
RMCmax,min extraction at the maximum and minimum 
settings, respectively, shall be combined as follows and the final 
RMC to be used in section 4.3 of this appendix shall be:

RMC = 0.75 x RMCmax,max extraction + 0.25 x 
RMCmax,min extraction

    3.9 ``Steam Wash'' for clothes washers equipped with a steam 
cycle. Water and electrical energy consumption shall be measured for 
each water fill level and/or test load size as specified in sections 
3.9.1 through 3.9.3 of this appendix for the hottest wash setting 
available with steam.
    3.9.1 Maximum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hsx), cold water consumption (Csx), and 
electrical energy consumption (Esx) shall be measured for 
a steam energy test cycle, with the controls set for the maximum 
water fill level. The maximum test load size is to be used and shall 
be determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.9.2 Minimum test load and water fill. Hot water consumption 
(Hsn), cold water consumption (Csn), and 
electrical energy consumption (Esn) shall be measured for 
a steam energy test cycle, with the controls set for the minimum 
water fill level. The minimum test load size is to be used and shall 
be determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.9.3 Average test load and water fill. For clothes washers with 
an adaptive water fill control system, measure the values for hot 
water consumption (Hsa), cold water consumption 
(Csa), and electrical energy consumption (Esa) 
for a steam energy test cycle using an average test load size as 
determined per Table 5.1 of this appendix.
    3.10 Self-clean. Set the controls to obtain the self-clean 
cycle. Hot water consumption (Hsc), cold water 
consumption (Csc), and electric energy consumption 
(Esc) shall be measured for the self-clean cycle. Do not 
use a test load.
    3.11 Combined low-power mode power. Connect the clothes washer 
to a watt meter as specified in section 2.5.3 of this appendix. 
Establish the testing conditions set forth in sections 2.1, 2.2 and 
2.11 of this appendix. For clothes washers that take some time to 
enter a stable state from a higher power state as discussed in 
Section 5, Paragraph 5.1, note 1 of IEC 62301 (incorporated by 
reference; see Sec.  430.3), allow sufficient time for the clothes 
washer to reach the lower power state before proceeding with the 
test measurement. Follow the test procedure for the sampling method 
specified in Section 5, Paragraph 5.3.2 of IEC 62301 for testing in 
each possible mode as described in sections 3.11.1 and 3.11.2 of 
this appendix.
    3.11.1 If a clothes washer has an inactive mode as defined in 
section 1.15 of this appendix, measure and record the average 
inactive mode power of the clothes washer, Pia, in watts.
    3.11.2 If a clothes washer has an off mode as defined in section 
1.23 of this appendix, measure and record its average off mode 
power, Po, in watts.

4. Calculation of Derived Results from Test Measurements

    4.1 Hot water and machine electrical energy consumption of 
clothes washers.
    4.1.1 Per-cycle temperature-weighted hot water consumption for 
maximum, average, and minimum water fill levels using each 
appropriate load size as defined in section 2.8 and Table 5.1 of 
this appendix. Calculate for the cycle under test the per-cycle 
temperature weighted hot water consumption for the maximum water 
fill level, Vhx, the average water fill level, 
Vha, and the minimum water fill level, Vhn, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

(a) Vhx = [Hsx x TUFs] + 
[Hmx x TUFm] + [Hhx x 
TUFh] + [Hwx x TUFw] + 
[Hwwx x TUFww] + [Hcx x 
TUFc]
(b) Vha = [Hsa x TUFs] + 
[Hma x TUFm] + [Hha x 
TUFh] + [Hwa x TUFw] + 
[Hwwa x TUFww] + [Hca x 
TUFc]
(c) Vhn = [Hsn x TUFs] + 
[Hmn x TUFm] + [Hhn x 
TUFh] + [Hwn x TUFw] + 
[Hwwn x TUFww] + [Hcn x 
TUFc]

where:

Hsx, Hsa, and Hsn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the steam cycle with the appropriate test loads as defined in 
section 2.8 of this appendix.
Hmx, Hma, and Hmn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the extra hot wash cycle with the appropriate test loads as 
defined in section 2.8 of this appendix.
Hhx, Hha, and Hhn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the hot wash cycle with the appropriate test loads as defined in 
section 2.8 of this appendix.
Hwx, Hwa, and Hwn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the warm wash cycle with the appropriate test loads as defined 
in section 2.8 of this appendix.
Hwwx, Hwwa, and Hwwn, are reported 
hot water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the warm wash/warm rinse cycle with the appropriate test loads 
as defined in section 2.8 of this appendix.

[[Page 69889]]

Hcx, Hca, and Hcn, are reported hot 
water consumption values, in gallons per-cycle (or liters per 
cycle), at maximum, average, and minimum water fill, respectively, 
for the cold wash cycle with the appropriate test loads as defined 
in section 2.8 of this appendix.
TUFs, TUFm, TUFh, TUFw, 
TUFww, and TUFc are temperature use factors 
for steam wash, extra hot wash, hot wash, warm wash, warm wash/warm 
rinse, and cold wash temperature selections, respectively, and are 
as defined in Table 4.1.1 of this appendix.

                                                          Table 4.1.1--Temperature Use Factors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  135 [deg]F      > 135 [deg]F
   Max wash temp available    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      Steam            Steam
                                 (57.2 [deg]C)     (57.2 [deg]C)     (57.2 [deg]C)     (57.2 [deg]C)    (57.2 [deg]C)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. Wash Temp Selections.....  Single..........  2 Temps.........  > 2 Temps.......  3 Temps.........  > 3 Temps......  3 Temps........  > 3 Temps.
TUFs (steam).................  NA..............  NA..............  NA..............  NA..............  NA.............  0.02...........  0.02.
TUFm (extra hot).............  NA..............  NA..............  NA..............  0.14............  0.05...........  0.12...........  0.03.
TUFh (hot)...................  NA..............  0.63............  0.14............  NA..............  0.09...........  NA.............  0.09.
TUFww (warm/warm)............  NA..............  NA..............  0.27*...........  0.27*...........  0.27*..........  0.27*..........  0.27*.
TUFw (warm)..................  NA..............  NA..............  0.22............  0.22............  0.22...........  0.22...........  0.22.
TUFc (cold)..................  1.00............  0.37............  0.37............  0.37............  0.37...........  0.37...........  0.37.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Only applicable to machines offering a warm/warm cycle. For machines with no warm/warm cycle, this value should be zero and TUFw (warm) should be
  0.49.

    4.1.2 Total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for all 
maximum, average, and minimum water fill levels tested. Calculate 
the total per-cycle hot water energy consumption for the maximum 
water fill level, HEmax, the minimum water fill level, 
HEmin, and the average water fill level, 
HEavg, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined 
as:

(a) HEmax = [Vhx x T x K] = Total energy when 
a maximum load is tested.
(b) HEavg = [Vha x T x K] = Total energy when 
an average load is tested.
(c) HEmin = [Vhn x T x K] = Total energy when 
a minimum load is tested.

where:

T = Temperature rise = 75 [deg]F (41.7 [deg]C).
K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon degree F = 
0.00240 kWh/gal-[deg]F (0.00114 kWh/L-[deg]C).
Vhx, Vha, and Vhn are as defined in 
section 4.1.1 of this appendix.
    4.1.3 Total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption. 
Calculate the total weighted per-cycle hot water energy consumption, 
HET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined 
as:

HET = [HEmax x Fmax] + 
[HEavg x Favg] + HEmin x 
Fmin]

where:

HEmax, HEavg, and HEmin are as 
defined in section 4.1.2 of this appendix.
Fmax, Favg, and Fmin are the load 
usage factors for the maximum, average, and minimum test loads based 
on the size and type of the control system on the washer being 
tested. The values are as shown in Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

                     Table 4.1.3--Load Usage Factors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Water fill control system                Manual   Adaptive
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fmax =..............................................  \1\0.72    \2\0.12
Favg =..............................................  .......    \2\0.74
Fmin =..............................................  \1\0.28    \2\0.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Reference 3.2.3.3.
2 Reference 3.2.3.2.

    4.1.4 Total per-cycle hot water energy consumption using gas-
heated or oil-heated water. Calculate for the energy test cycle the 
per-cycle hot water consumption, HETG, using gas-heated 
or oil-heated water, expressed in Btu per cycle (or megajoules per 
cycle) and defined as:

HETG = HET x 1/e x 3412 Btu/kWh or 
HETG = HET x 1/e x 3.6 MJ/kWh

where:

e = Nominal gas or oil water heater efficiency = 0.75.
HET = As defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.1.5 Per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption for all 
maximum, average, and minimum test load sizes. Calculate the total 
per-cycle machine electrical energy consumption for the maximum 
water fill level, MEmax, the average water fill level, 
MEavg, and the minimum water fill level, 
MEmin, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined 
as:

(a) MEmax = [Esx x TUFs] + 
[Emx x TUFm] + [Ehx x 
TUFh] + [Ewx x TUFw] + 
[Ewwx x TUFww] + [Ecx x 
TUFc]
(b) MEavg = [Esa x TUFs] + 
[Ema x TUFm] + [Eha x 
TUFh] + [Ewa x TUFw] + 
[Ewwa x TUFww] + [Eca x 
TUFc]
(c) MEmin = [Esn x TUFs] + 
[Emn x TUFm] + [Ehn x 
TUFh] + [Ewn x TUFw] + 
[Ewwn x TUFww] + [Ecn x 
TUFc]

where:

Esx, Esa, and Esn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
steam cycle.
Emx, Ema, and Emn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
extra hot wash cycle.
Ehx, Eha, and Ehn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
hot wash cycle.
Ewx, Ewa, and Ewn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
warm wash cycle.
Ewwx, Ewwa, and Ewwn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
warm wash/warm rinse cycle.
Ecx, Eca, and Ecn, are reported 
electrical energy consumption values, in kilowatt-hours per cycle, 
at maximum, average, and minimum test loads, respectively, for the 
cold wash cycle.
TUFs, TUFm, TUFh, TUFw, 
TUFww, and TUFc are as defined in Table 4.1.1 
of this appendix.
    4.1.6 Total weighted per-cycle machine electrical energy 
consumption. Calculate the total per-cycle load size weighted energy 
consumption, MET, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle 
and defined as:

MET = [MEmax x Fmax] + 
[MEavg x Favg] + [MEmin x 
Fmin]

where:

MEmax, MEavg, and MEmin are as 
defined in section 4.1.5 of this appendix.
Fmax, Favg, and Fmin are as defined 
in Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.1.7 Total per-cycle energy consumption when electrically 
heated water is used. Calculate for the energy test cycle the total 
per-cycle energy consumption, ETE, using electrically 
heated water, expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

ETE = HET + MET

where:

MET = As defined in section 4.1.6 of this appendix.
HET = As defined in section 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.1.8 Per-cycle self-clean hot water energy consumption when 
electrically heated water is used. Calculate the per-cycle self-
clean hot

[[Page 69890]]

water energy consumption, HEsc, expressed in kilowatt-
hours per cycle, and defined as:

HEsc = [Hsc x T x K] x 12/295

where:

Hsc = reported hot water consumption value, in gallons 
per-cycle, for the self-clean cycle as defined in section 3.10 of 
this appendix.
T = Temperature rise = 75 [deg]F (41.7 [deg]C).
K = Water specific heat in kilowatt-hours per gallon degree F = 
0.00240 (0.00114 kWh/L-[deg]C).
12 = Representative average number of clothes washer self-clean 
cycles in a year.
295 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a 
year.

    4.1.9 Per-cycle self-clean hot water energy consumption using 
gas-heated or oil-heated water. Calculate the per-cycle self-clean 
hot water energy consumption, HESCG, using gas-heated or 
oil-heated water, expressed in Btu per cycle (or megajoules per 
cycle) and defined as:

HESCG = [HESC x 1/e x 3412 Btu/kWh] x 12/295 
or HESCG = [HET x 1/e x 3.6 MJ/kWh] x 12/295

where:

e = Nominal gas or oil water heater efficiency = 0.75.
HEsc = As defined in section 4.1.8 of this appendix.
12 = Representative average number of clothes washer self-clean 
cycles in a year.
295 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a 
year.

    4.1.10 Per-cycle self-clean machine electrical energy 
consumption. Calculate the per-cycle self-clean machine electrical 
energy consumption, MEsc, expressed in kilowatt-hours per 
cycle, and defined as:

MEsc = Esc x 12/295

where:

Esc = Reported electrical energy consumption value, in 
gallons per-cycle, for the self-clean cycle as defined in section 
3.10 of this appendix.
12 = Representative average number of clothes washer self-clean 
cycles in a year.
295 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a 
year.

    4.2 Water consumption of clothes washers.
    4.2.1 Per-cycle water consumption for steam wash. Calculate the 
maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, expressed in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the steam cycle and 
defined as:

Qsmax = [Hsx + Csx]
Qsavg = [Hsa + Csa]
Qsmin = [Hsn + Csn]

where:

Hsx, Csx, Hsa, Csa, 
Hsn, and Csn are defined in section 3.9 of 
this appendix.

    4.2.2 Per-cycle water consumption for extra hot wash. Calculate 
the maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, expressed 
in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the extra hot wash 
cycle and defined as:

Qmmax = [Hmx + Cmx]
Qmavg = [Hma + Cma]
Qmmin = [Hmn + Cmn]

where:

Hmx, Cmx, Hma, Cma, 
Hmn, and Cmn are defined in section 3.3 of 
this appendix.

    4.2.3 Per-cycle water consumption for hot wash. Calculate the 
maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, expressed in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the hot wash cycle and 
defined as:

Qhmax = [Hhx + Chx]
Qhavg = [Hha + Cha]
Qhmin = [Hhn + Chn]

where:

Hhx, Chx, Hha, Cha, 
Hhn, and Chn are defined in section 3.4 of 
this appendix.

    4.2.4 Per-cycle water consumption for warm wash with cold rinse. 
Calculate the maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the warm 
wash/cold rinse cycle and defined as:

Qwmax = [Hwx + Cwx]
Qwavg = [Hwa + Cwa]
Qwmin = [Hwn + Cwn]

where:

Hwx, Cwx, Hwa, Cwa, 
Hwn, and Cwn are defined in section 3.5 of 
this appendix.

    4.2.5 Per-cycle water consumption for warm wash with warm rinse. 
Calculate the maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the warm 
wash/warm rinse cycle and defined as:

Qwwmax = [Hwwx + Cwwx]
Qwwavg = [Hwwa + Cwwa]
Qwwmin = [Hwwn + Cwwn]

where:

Hwwx, Cwwx, Hwwa, Cwwa, 
Hwwn, and Cwwn are defined in section 3.7 of 
this appendix.

    4.2.6 Per-cycle water consumption for cold wash. Calculate the 
maximum, average, and minimum total water consumption, expressed in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle), for the cold wash cycle and 
defined as:

Qcmax = [Hcx + Ccx]
Qcavg = [Hca + Cca]
Qcmin = [Hcn + Ccn]

where:

Hcx, Ccx, Hca, Cca, 
Hcn, and Ccn are defined in section 3.6 of 
this appendix.

    4.2.7 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for steam wash. 
Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, QsT, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

QsT = [Qsmax x Fmax] + 
[Qsavg x Favg] + [Qsmin x 
Fmin]

where:

Qsmax, Qsavg, Qsmin are defined in 
section 4.2.1 of this appendix.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.8 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for extra hot 
wash. Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, 
QmT, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) 
and defined as:

QmT = [Qmmax x Fmax] + 
[Qmavg x Favg] + [Qmmin x 
Fmin]

where:

Qmmax, Qmavg, Qmmin are defined in 
section 4.2.2 of this appendix.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.9 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for hot wash. 
Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, QhT, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

QhT = [Qhmax x Fmax] + 
[Qhavg x Favg] + [Qhmin x 
Fmin]

where:

Qhmax, Qhavg, Qhmin are defined in 
section 4.2.3 of this appendix.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.10 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for warm wash 
with cold rinse. Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, 
QwT, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) 
and defined as:

QwT = [Qwmax x Fmax] + 
[Qwavg x Favg] + [Qwmin x 
Fmin]

where:

Qwmax, Qwavg, Qwmin are defined in 
section 4.2.4 of this appendix.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.11 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for warm wash 
with warm rinse. Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, 
QwT, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) 
and defined as:

QwwT = [Qwwmax x Fmax] + 
[Qwwavg x Favg] + [Qwwmin x 
Fmin]

where:

Qwwmax, Qwwavg, Qwwmin are defined 
in section 4.2.5 of this appendix.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.12 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for cold wash. 
Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, QcT, 
expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

QcT = [Qcmax x Fmax] + 
[Qcavg x Favg] + [Qcmin x 
Fmin]

where:

Qcmax, Qcavg, Qcmin are defined in 
section 4.2.6 of this appendix.
Fmax, Favg, Fmin are defined in 
Table 4.1.3 of this appendix.

    4.2.13 Total weighted per-cycle water consumption for all wash 
cycles. Calculate the total weighted per cycle consumption, 
QT, expressed in gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) 
and defined as:

[[Page 69891]]

QT = [QsT x TUFs] + [QmT 
x TUFm] + [QhT x TUFh] + 
[QwT x TUFw] + [QwwT x 
TUFww] + [QcT x TUFc]

where:

QsT, QmT, QhT, QwT, 
QwwT, and QcT are defined in sections 4.2.7 
through 4.2.12 of this appendix.
TUFs, TUFm, TUFh, TUFw, 
TUFww, and TUFc are defined in Table 4.1.1 of 
this appendix.

    4.2.14 Per-cycle self-clean water consumption. Calculate the 
total per-cycle self-clean water consumption, Qsc, in 
gallons per cycle (or liters per cycle) and defined as:

Qsc = [Hsc+Csc] x 12/295

where:

Hsc = As defined in section 3.10 of this appendix.
Csc = As defined in 3.10 of this appendix.
12 = Representative average number of clothes washer self-clean 
cycles in a year.
295 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a 
year.

    4.2.15 Water consumption factor. Calculate the water consumption 
factor, WCF, expressed in gallons per cycle per cubic feet (or liter 
per cycle per liter), as:
WCF = QcT/C

where:

QcT = As defined in section 4.2.12 of this appendix.
C = As defined in section 3.1.5 of this appendix.
    4.2.16 Integrated water consumption factor. Calculate the 
integrated water consumption factor, IWF, expressed in gallons per 
cycle per cubic feet (or liter per cycle per liter), as:

IWF = [QT + Qsc]/C

where:

QT = As defined in section 4.2.13 of this appendix.
Qsc = As defined in section 4.2.14 of this appendix.
C = As defined in section 3.1.5 of this appendix.

    4.3 Per-cycle energy consumption for removal of moisture from 
test load. Calculate the per-cycle energy required to remove the 
moisture of the test load, DE, expressed in kilowatt-
hours per cycle and defined as:

DE = [(Fmax x Maximum test load weight) + 
(Favg x Average test load weight) + (Fmin x 
Minimum test load weight)] x (RMC-4%) x (DEF) x (DUF)

where:

Fmax, Favg, and Fmin are as defined 
in Table 4.1.3 of this appendix
Maximum, average, and minimum test load weights are as defined in 
Table 5.1 of this appendix.
RMC = As defined in section 3.8.2.5, 3.8.3.3, or 3.8.4 of this 
appendix.
DEF = Nominal energy required for a clothes dryer to remove moisture 
from clothes = 0.5 kWh/lb (1.1 kWh/kg).
DUF = Dryer usage factor, percentage of washer loads dried in a 
clothes dryer = 0.91.

    4.4 Per-cycle combined low-power mode energy consumption. 
Calculate the clothes washer combined low-power mode energy 
consumption per cycle, ETLP, expressed in kilowatt-hours 
per cycle and defined as:

ETLP = [(Pia x Sia) + 
(Po x So)] x Kp/295

where:

Pia = Washer inactive mode power, in watts, as defined in 
section 3.11.1 of this appendix for clothes washers capable of 
operating in inactive mode; otherwise, Pia = 0.
Po = Washer off mode power, in watts, as defined in 
section 3.11.2 of this appendix for clothes washers capable of 
operating in off mode; otherwise, Po = 0.
Sia = Annual hours in inactive mode as defined as 
Soi if no off mode is possible, [Soi/2] if 
both inactive mode and off mode are possible, and 0 if no inactive 
mode is possible.
So = Annual hours in off mode as defined as 
Soi if no inactive mode is possible, [Soi/2] 
if both inactive mode and off mode are possible, and 0 if no off 
mode is possible.
Soi = Combined annual hours for off and inactive mode = 
8,465.
Kp = Conversion factor of watt-hours to kilowatt-hours = 
0.001.
295 = Representative average number of clothes washer cycles in a 
year.

    4.5 Per-cycle self-clean energy consumption. Calculate the 
clothes washer self-clean energy per cycle, ETSC, 
expressed in kilowatt-hours per cycle and defined as:

ETSC = HEsc + MEsc

where:

HEsc = As defined in section 4.1.8 of this appendix.
MEsc = As defined in section 4.1.10 of this appendix.

    4.6 Modified energy factor. Calculate the modified energy 
factor, MEF, expressed in cubic feet per kilowatt-hour per cycle (or 
liters per kilowatt-hour per cycle) and defined as:

MEF = C/(ETE + DE)

where:

C = As defined in section 3.1.5 of this appendix.
ETE = As defined in section 4.1.7 of this appendix.
DE = As defined in section 4.3 of this appendix.

    4.7 Integrated modified energy factor. Calculate the integrated 
modified energy factor, IMEF, expressed in cubic feet per kilowatt-
hour per cycle (or liters per kilowatt-hour per cycle) and defined 
as:

IMEF = C/(ETE + DE + ETLP + 
ETSC)

where:

C = As defined in section 3.1.5 of this appendix.
ETE = As defined in section 4.1.7 of this appendix.
DE = As defined in section 4.3 of this appendix.
ETLP = As defined in section 4.4 of this appendix.
ETSC = As defined in section 4.5 of this appendix.

5. Test Loads

                                                               Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Container volume                               Minimum load                    Maximum load                    Average load
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              cu. ft. >= =  0.10 lbs (0.05 kg).

6. Waivers and Field Testing

    6.1 Waivers and Field Testing for Nonconventional Clothes 
Washers. Manufacturers of nonconventional clothes washers, such as 
clothes washers with adaptive control systems, must submit a 
petition for waiver pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27 to establish an 
acceptable test procedure for that clothes washer if the washer 
cannot be tested pursuant to the DOE test procedure or the DOE test 
procedure yields results that are so unrepresentative of the clothes 
washer's true energy consumption characteristics as to provide 
materially inaccurate comparative data. In such cases, field testing 
may be appropriate for establishing an acceptable test procedure. 
The following are guidelines for field testing which may be used by 
manufacturers in support of petitions for waiver. These guidelines 
are not mandatory and the Department may determine that they do not 
apply to a particular model. Depending upon a manufacturer's 
approach for conducting field testing, additional data may be 
required. Manufacturers are encouraged to communicate with the 
Department prior to the commencement of field tests which may be 
used to support a petition for waiver. Section 6.3 of this appendix 
provides an example of field testing for a clothes washer with an 
adaptive water fill control system. Other features, such as the use 
of various spin speed selections, could be the subject of field 
tests.
    6.2 Nonconventional Wash System Energy Consumption Test. The 
field test may consist of a minimum of 10 of the nonconventional 
clothes washers (``test clothes washers'') and 10 clothes washers 
already being distributed in commerce (``base clothes washers''). 
The tests should include a minimum of 50 energy test cycles per 
clothes washer. The test clothes washers and base clothes washers 
should be identical in construction except for the controls or 
systems being tested. Equal numbers of both the test clothes washer 
and the base clothes washer should be tested simultaneously in 
comparable settings to minimize seasonal or consumer laundering 
conditions or variations. The clothes washers should be monitored in 
such a way as to accurately record the total energy consumption per 
cycle. At a minimum, the following should be measured and recorded 
throughout the test period for each clothes washer: Hot water usage 
in gallons (or liters), electrical energy usage in kilowatt-hours, 
and the cycles of usage.
    The field test results would be used to determine the best 
method to correlate the rating of the test clothes washer to the 
rating of the base clothes washer. If the base clothes washer is 
rated at A kWh per year, but field tests at B kWh per year, and the 
test clothes washer field tests at D kWh per year, the test unit 
would be rated as follows:

A x (D/B) = G kWh per year

    6.3 Adaptive water fill control system field test. Section 
3.2.3.1 of this appendix defines the test method for measuring 
energy consumption for clothes washers which incorporate control 
systems having both adaptive and alternate cycle selections. Energy 
consumption calculated by the method defined in section 3.2.3.1 of 
this appendix assumes the adaptive cycle will be used 50 percent of 
the time. This section can be used to develop field test data in 
support of a petition for waiver when it is believed that the 
adaptive cycle will be used more

[[Page 69893]]

than 50 percent of the time. The field test sample size should be a 
minimum of 10 test clothes washers. The test clothes washers should 
be representative of the design, construction, and control system 
that will be placed in commerce. The duration of field testing in 
the user's house should be a minimum of 50 energy test cycles, for 
each unit. No special instructions as to cycle selection or product 
usage should be given to the field test participants, other than 
inclusion of the product literature pack which would be shipped with 
all units, and instructions regarding filling out data collection 
forms, use of data collection equipment, or basic procedural 
methods. Prior to the test clothes washers being installed in the 
field test locations, baseline data should be developed for all 
field test units by conducting laboratory tests as defined by 
section 1 through section 5 of this appendix to determine the energy 
consumption, water consumption, and remaining moisture content 
values. The following data should be measured and recorded for each 
wash load during the test period: wash cycle selected, the mode of 
the clothes washer (adaptive or manual), clothes load dry weight 
(measured after the clothes washer and clothes dryer cycles are 
completed) in pounds, and type of articles in the clothes load 
(e.g., cottons, linens, permanent press). The wash loads used in 
calculating the in-home percentage split between adaptive and manual 
cycle usage should be only those wash loads which conform to the 
definition of the energy test cycle.
    Calculate:

T = The total number of energy test cycles run during the field 
test.
Ta = The total number of adaptive control energy test 
cycles.
Tm = The total number of manual control energy test 
cycles.

    The percentage weighting factors:

Pa = (Ta/T) x 100 (the percentage weighting 
for adaptive control selection)
Pm = (Tm/T) x 100 (the percentage weighting 
for manual control selection)

    Energy consumption (HET, MET, and 
DE) and water consumption (QT), values calculated 
in section 4 of this appendix for the manual and adaptive modes, should 
be combined using Pa and Pm as the weighting 
factors.

[FR Doc. 2011-28543 Filed 11-8-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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