Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices 3461 

1For editorial reasons, upon codification in the 

U.S. Code, Parts B and C were re-designated as Parts 

A and A–1, respectively. 

Authority: Section 1001–1004 of Pub. L. 

102–486, 106 Stat. 2776 (42 U.S.C. 2296a et 

seq.). 

Issued in Washington, DC, on this 17th of 

January 2012. 

David E. Mathes, 

Office of Disposal Operations, Office of 

Technical and Regulatory Support. 

[FR Doc. 2012–1352 Filed 1–23–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy 

[Docket No. EERE–2011–BT–NOA–0065] 

Request for Information (RFI) 

Regarding Miscellaneous Residential 

and Commercial Electrical Equipment 

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy, Department of 

Energy. 

ACTION: Request for Information. 

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy 

(DOE) is evaluating the energy use and 

energy efficiency potential of 

miscellaneous residential and 

commercial electrical equipment, 

including: audio-video equipment, 

computer systems, household cleaning 

equipment, imaging equipment, 

network equipment, personal space 

heating equipment, thermal household 

equipment, thermal kitchen equipment, 

uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), 

and vertical transport equipment. DOE 

is requesting information from 

interested parties regarding product 

markets, energy use, test procedures, 

and energy efficient product design. 

DATES: Written comments and 

information are requested by March 26, 

2012. 

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may 

submit comments in writing, identified 

by docket number EERE–2011–BT– 

NOA–0065 by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.

regulations.gov. Follow the instructions 

for submitting comments. 

• Email: MEL-RFI-2011-NOA-0065@

ee.doe.gov. 

• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. 

Department of Energy, Building 

Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, 

Request for Information for on 

Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment, 

EERE–2011–BT–NOA–0065. 1000 

Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone: 

(202) 586–2945. Please submit one 

signed paper original. 

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda 

Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 

Building Technologies Program, 6th 

Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 

Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 

586–2945. Please submit one signed 

paper original. 

Instructions: All submissions received 

must include the agency name and 

docket number. 

Docket: For access to the docket to 

read background documents or 

comments received, please call Ms. 

Brenda Edwards at the above telephone 

number. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Jeremy Dommu, 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) 586–9870. Email: 

jeremy.dommu@ee.doe.gov. 

In the Office of General Counsel, 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: 

1. Statutory Authority 

Title III of the Energy Policy and 

Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended 

(42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.), sets forth 

various provisions designed to improve 

energy efficiency. Part B of Title III of 

EPCA established the ‘‘Energy 

Conservation Program for Consumer 

Products Other Than Automobiles.’’ 1

Part C of Title III includes measures to 

improve the energy efficiency of 

commercial and industrial equipment. 

2. Miscellaneous Residential and 

Commercial Electrical Equipment 

Considered 

In this notice, DOE seeks data and 

information on the energy use of a 

variety of miscellaneous residential and 

commercial electrical equipment. For 

the purposes of this request for 

information, these products are 

organized into the following categories. 

a. Audio-Video Equipment 

This category includes devices that 

offer audio amplification, optical disc 

drive functions, and/or audio digital 

signal processing as a primary function. 

Example products include DVD and 

Blu-ray players, stereo systems, and 

clock radios. 

b. Computer Systems 

This category includes devices and 

systems that primarily perform logical 

operations and process data, and 

components of such devices. Example 

products include desktop computers 

(including integrated computers), laptop 

computers, servers, monitors, and video 

game consoles. 

c. Household Cleaning Equipment 

This category includes devices whose 

principle function is to remove dirt, 

stains, and/or odors from interior 

dwelling spaces and furniture. Example 

products include steam cleaners and 

vacuum cleaners. 

d. Imaging Equipment 

This category includes devices whose 

primary function(s) include generating 

hard copy output from electronic input, 

generating electronic output from hard 

copy input, generating hard copy 

duplicates from hard copy originals, or 

some combination of these. Example 

products include printers, scanners, 

copiers, facsimile (fax) machines, and 

multi-function devices (such as a 

combination printer, scanner and fax). 

e. Network Equipment 

This category includes devices whose 

principle function(s) is to pass Internet 

Protocol traffic among various network 

interfaces. Example products include 

routers, modems, switches, and 

integrated home access devices. This 

category also includes security 

equipment. 

f. Personal Space Heating Equipment 

This category includes electrical 

devices that primarily deliver thermal 

energy (heat) for the purpose of space 

conditioning a person’s body or single 

room. Example products include 

electric blankets and space heaters. 

g. Thermal Household Equipment 

This category includes electrical 

devices that primarily deliver thermal 

energy (heat) for the purpose of personal 

grooming. Example products include 

clothing irons and hair dryers. 

h. Thermal Kitchen Equipment 

This category includes electrical 

devices that primarily deliver thermal 

energy (heat) for the purpose of food or 

beverage preparation. Example products 

include toasters, toaster ovens, slow and 

rice cookers, and coffee makers. 

i. Uninterruptible Power Supplies 

(UPSs) 

This category includes devices that 

are a combination of converters, 

switches, and energy storage devices 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
3462 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices 

2Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies 

Preliminary Analysis Public Meeting, Appliances & 

Commercial Equipment Standards, U.S. Department 

of Energy, 13 October 2010. 75 FR 56021–56024 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_

standards/residential/battery_external_

preliminaryanalysis_public_mtg.html. 

3 Desroches, L.B., & Garbesi, K., 2011, Max Tech 

and Beyond: Maximizing Appliance and Equipment 

Efficiency by Design, Lawrence Berkeley National 

Laboratory Final Report, LBNL–4998E. http://

efficiency.lbl.gov/bibliography/max_tech_and_

beyond. 

4Note: Some totals within the table may not sum 

precisely due to rounding. 

5Urban, B., V. Tiefenbeck, and K. Roth. 2011. 

Energy Consumption of Consumer Electronics in 

U.S. Homes in 2010, Final Report to the Consumer 

Electronics Association (CEA), Fraunhofer Center 

for Sustainable Energy Systems, December. 

6Roth, K.W. et al. 2007. Residential 

Miscellaneous Electric Loads: Energy Consumption 

Characterization and Savings Potential. Prepared 

by TIAX LLC for DOE. 

(such as batteries) constituting a power 

system for maintaining continuity of 

load power in case of input power 

failure. Example products include static, 

rotary, modular and multi-mode UPSs. 

(Note that while DOE currently has an 

ongoing rulemaking to cover residential 

UPSs,2 it does not cover exclusively 

commercial-sector UPSs.). 

j. Vertical Transport Equipment 

This category includes electrical 

equipment designed to move people or 

goods between floors of a structure. 

Example products include elevators and 

escalators. 

3. Preliminary Evaluation of 

Miscellaneous Residential and 

Commercial Electrical Equipment 

The energy use of many 

miscellaneous residential and 

commercial electrical equipment 

(including audio-video equipment, 

computer systems, imaging equipment, 

network equipment, thermal kitchen 

equipment, and uninterruptible power 

supplies) has been increasing in the last 

twenty years due to increased 

ownership and use of miscellaneous 

electrical (particularly electronic) 

devices, rapid growth in internet 

connections in both residential and 

commercial settings, and increased 

computing power of many electronic 

devices. The energy use of household 

cleaning equipment, personal space 

heating equipment, thermal household 

equipment, and vertical transport 

equipment may not have grown 

appreciably, but the energy use of these 

types of products and equipment 

remains high. Significant variation in 

the annual energy consumption of 

different basic models exists for many of 

these types of products and equipment, 

which indicates that technologies likely 

exist to reduce their energy 

consumption. 

a. Consumer Products: Average 

Residential Energy Use 

DOE calculated average energy use for 

the products described in this request 

for information based on several reports 

and DOE’s own estimates.3 Table 1 

summarizes available estimates for 

miscellaneous residential electrical 

products. Subsequent discussion 

provides additional detail on DOE’s 

energy use calculations for each product 

category. DOE seeks feedback from 

interested parties on any revised 

estimates of residential energy use for 

miscellaneous electrical equipment. 

TABLE 1—ENERGY CONSUMPTION ESTIMATES OF MISCELLANEOUS RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS 4

Stock a

(millions) 

Average 

unit energy 

use 

(kWh/yr) 

Annual 

energy use a

(TWh/yr) 

Percentage 

of households 

Household 

energy use 

(kWh/yr) 

Source 

Audio-Video Equipment 

Compact Audio ........................................ 63 105 6 .6 54 105 Urban et al. (2011).5

Computer Speakers ................................ 74 37 2 .8 47 50 Urban et al. (2011). 

Home Theater Systems (in-a-box) .......... 30 91 2 .7 26 91 Urban et al. (2011). 

MP3 Player Docking Stations ................. 48 25 1 .2 41 25 Urban et al. (2011). 

Portable Audio ......................................... 120 6 0 .7 30 19 Urban et al. (2011). 

Radios ..................................................... 81 16 1 .3 70 16 Urban et al. (2011). 

Clock Radios ........................................... 157 15 2 .3 90 22 Roth et al. (2007).6

All audio equipment ......................... 577 .................... 17 .8 b 99+ 154 

Blu-ray Players ........................................ 12 14 0 .2 11 13 Urban et al. (2011). 

DVD Players ............................................ 223 28 6 .3 93 58 Urban et al. (2011). 

Video Cassette Recorders (VCR) ........... 57 47 2 .7 49 47 Urban et al. (2011). 

All video players ............................... 292 .................... 9 .1 b 97 81 

Audio/Video Receivers ............................ 99 65 6 .4 50 111 Urban et al. (2011). 

Total ................................................. 962 .................... 33 .2 b 99+ 286 

Computer Systems 

Desktop ................................................... 101 220 22 .2 66 290 Urban et al. (2011). 

Portable ................................................... 132 63 8 .3 61 118 Urban et al. (2011). 

All computers ................................... 233 .................... 30 .5 b 87 303 

Desktop PC Monitors .............................. 96 97 9 .3 63 93 Urban et al. (2011). 

Portable PC Monitors .............................. 35 97 3 .4 16 25 Urban et al. (2011). 

All monitors ...................................... 131 .................... 12 .7 c 69 158 

External Storage Devices ........................ 80 11 0 .8 69 11 Urban et al. (2011). 


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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices 3463 

7Sanchez, M.C., Koomey, J.G., Moezzi, M.M., & 

Huber, W., 1998, Miscellaneous Electricity Use in 

the U.S. Residential Sector, Lawrence Berkeley 

National Laboratory Final Report, LBNL–40295. 

8Energy Information Administration. 20110. 

Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) 2011. 9Roth et al., 2011; Urban et al., 2011. 

TABLE 1—ENERGY CONSUMPTION ESTIMATES OF MISCELLANEOUS RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS 4—Continued 

Stock a

(millions) 

Average 

unit energy 

use 

(kWh/yr) 

Annual 

energy use a

(TWh/yr) 

Percentage 

of households 

Household 

energy use 

(kWh/yr) 

Source 

Video Game Consoles ............................ 109 135 14 .7 48 264 Urban et al. (2011). 

Total ................................................. 553 .................... 58 .8 b,d 93 544 

Household Cleaning Equipment 

Vacuum Cleaners .................................... 114 42 4 .8 98 42 Roth et al. (2007). 

Imaging Equipment 

Printers & Multi-Function Devices ........... 113 12 1 .3 71 16 Urban et al. (2011). 

Copiers .................................................... 9 14 0 .1 8 14 Urban et al. (2011). 

Fax Machines .......................................... 10 46 0 .5 9 46 Urban et al. (2011). 

Total ................................................. 132 .................... 1 .9 b76 21 

Network Equipment 

Integrated Access Devices ...................... 42 53 2 .2 33 58 Urban et al. (2011). 

Modems ................................................... 46 44 2 .0 36 48 Urban et al. (2011). 

Routers .................................................... 49 44 2 .1 35 53 Urban et al. (2011). 

All Network Equipment ..................... 137 .................... 6 .4 e 69 79 

Security Equipment ................................. 27 61 1 .7 23 61 Roth et al. (2007). 

Total ................................................. 164 .................... 8 .0 b 76 90 

Personal Space Heating Equipment 

Electric Blankets ...................................... 29 120 3 .5 25 121 Sanchez et al. (2008).7

Thermal Household Equipment 

Clothes Irons ........................................... 107 53 5 .7 92 53 Roth et al. (2007). 

Hair Dryers .............................................. 100 42 4 .2 86 42 Roth et al. (2007). 

Total ................................................. 207 .................... 9 .9 b 99 86 

Thermal Kitchen Equipment 

Coffee Makers ......................................... 71 60 4 .2 61 60 Roth et al. (2007). 

Rice Cookers ........................................... 20 45 0 .9 17 45 Desroches and Garbesi 

(2011). 

Slow Cookers .......................................... 51 25 1 .3 43 25 Desroches and Garbesi 

(2011). 

Toasters ................................................... 105 39 4 .1 90 40 Roth et al. (2007). 

Toaster Ovens ......................................... 65 33 2 .1 56 33 Roth et al. (2007). 

Total ................................................. 311 .................... 12 .7 b 99 110 

aStock and annual energy use have been adjusted to reflect the number of households in 2011. 

bPercentage of households owning at least one device is assumed to be uncorrelated for each device or device category. 

cPercentage of households owning at least one device is assumed to be the sum of individual percentages. 

d Monitors and external storage devices are assumed to be 100% correlated with owning a computer, so the percentage of households owning 

at least one type of computer equipment is assumed to be the joint uncorrelated probability of owning a computer and video game console. ePercentage of households owning at least one device is assumed to be the sum of integrated access devices (which contain modems) and 

standalone modems. 

i. Audio-Video Equipment 

DOE calculated average residential 

energy use for audio-video equipment, 

in households that used the product, 

based on data from reports on 

residential miscellaneous electric 

loads.9 These reports provide annual 

energy use per device and the total 

number of devices in operation in the 

U.S. Types of residential audio-video 

equipment included compact audio, 

computer speakers, home theater in-abox systems, MP3 player docking 

stations, portable audio, radios, clock 

radios, Blu-ray players, digital versatile 

disk (DVD) players, video cassette 

recorders (VCR) and audio-video 


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3464 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices 

10The uncorrelated probability of owning more 

than one type of device is equal to one minus the 

probability that a home has neither type. This latter 

quantity is found by multiplying the probabilities 

that a home does not have each type of device. For 

instance, for video players, the probability that a 

home has a Blu-ray player is 11%, a DVD player, 

93% and a VCR, 49%. Therefore, the probability 

that a home has none of these types is (1—11%) 

(1—93%) (1—49%) = 3%, while the probability that 

a home has at least one type is 1—3% = 97%. 

Similarly, the probability that a home has at least 

one type of audio equipment is more than 99%, and 

of audio/video receivers is 50%. Therefore, the joint 

probability that a home has at least one type of 

audio or video equipment is 1— (1—97%) (1—99%) 

(1—50%) = 99.99% 

11AEO 2011. 

12Urban et al., 2011. 

13AEO 2011. 

14Roth et al., 2007. 

15AEO 2011. 

16Urban et al., 2011. 

17AEO 2011. 

18Roth et al. 2007; Urban et al., 2011. 

19AEO 2011. 

20Sanchez et al (2008). 

receivers. See Table 1 for more 

information. Based on these data, DOE 

believes the presence of one type of 

audio or video equipment within a 

household is not necessarily correlated 

with the presence of another type of 

audio or video equipment. Therefore, 

DOE estimated the percentage of 

households with at least one type of 

audio or video equipment to be more 

than 99%, by calculating the total 

uncorrelated probability of all device 

combinations.10

The total number of households in the 

U.S. in 2011 was 116 million;11

therefore DOE estimated the number of 

households in which audio or video 

equipment was used to be 116 million. 

The estimated total household energy 

use of audio-video equipment was 33.2 

billion kWh. Therefore, the estimated 

average annual U.S. household energy 

use for homes with audio-video 

equipment was 286 kWh. 

ii. Computer Systems 

DOE calculated average residential 

energy use for computer systems in 

households that used the product, based 

on data from a report on residential 

miscellaneous electric loads.12 This 

report provides annual energy use per 

device and the total number of devices 

in operation in the U.S. Types of 

residential computer systems included 

desktop computers, portable (laptop, 

netbook, and tablet) computers, 

monitors (for desktop and portable 

computers), external storage devices, 

and video game consoles. See Table 1 

for more information. Based on these 

data, DOE believes that monitors and 

external storage devices are only present 

along with a computer, but the presence 

of one type of computer system (desktop 

computer, portable computer or game 

console) within a household is not 

necessarily correlated with the presence 

of another type of computer system. 

Therefore, DOE estimated the 

percentage of households with at least 

one type of computer equipment to be 

93%, by calculating the total 

uncorrelated probability of all device 

combinations. 

The total number of households in the 

U.S. in 2011 was 116 million;13

therefore, the number of households in 

which computer systems were used was 

approximately 108 million. The total 

reported household energy use of 

computer systems was 58.8 billion kWh. 

Therefore, the estimated average annual 

U.S. household energy use for computer 

systems was 544 kWh. 

iii. Household Cleaning Equipment 

DOE calculated average residential 

energy use for household cleaning 

equipment, in households that used the 

product, based on data from a report on 

residential miscellaneous electric 

loads.14 This report provides annual 

energy use per device and the total 

number of devices in operation in the 

U.S. Types of household cleaning 

equipment included vacuum cleaners; 

no data were available for other types of 

devices, including steam cleaning 

equipment and possibly other devices, 

which may be potentially significant 

categories of residential energy use. See 

Table 1 for more information. The 

percentage of households with at least 

one type of household cleaning 

equipment is estimated to be 98%. 

The total number of households in the 

U.S. in 2011 was 116 million;15

therefore, the number of households 

using household cleaning equipment 

was approximately 114 million. The 

total estimated household energy use of 

household cleaning equipment was 4.8 

billion kWh. Therefore, the average U.S. 

per-household energy use of household 

cleaning equipment was 42 kWh. 

iv. Imaging Equipment 

DOE calculated average residential 

energy use for imaging equipment in 

households that used the product, based 

on data from a report on residential 

miscellaneous electric loads.16 This 

report provides annual energy use per 

device and the total number of devices 

in operation in the U.S. Types of 

residential imaging equipment included 

printers, copiers, fax machines, and 

multi-function devices (such as a 

combination printer, scanner and fax). 

See Table 1 for more information. Based 

on these data, DOE believes the 

presence of one type of imaging 

equipment in a household is not 

necessarily correlated with the presence 

of another type of imaging equipment. 

Therefore, DOE estimated the 

percentage of households with at least 

one type of imaging equipment to be 

76%, by calculating the total 

uncorrelated probability of all device 

combinations. 

The total number of households in the 

U.S. in 2011 was 116 million;17

therefore, the number of households in 

which imaging equipment was used was 

approximately 88 million. The total 

reported household energy use of 

imaging equipment was 1.9 billion kWh. 

Therefore, the estimated average annual 

U.S. household energy use for imaging 

equipment was 21 kWh. 

v. Network Equipment 

DOE calculated average residential 

energy use for network equipment in 

households that used the product, based 

on data from reports on residential 

miscellaneous electric loads.18 These 

reports provide annual energy use per 

device and the total number of devices 

in operation in the U.S. Types of 

residential network equipment included 

modems, routers, integrated access 

devices (IAD, which are combination 

modem/routers), and security 

equipment. See Table 1 for more 

information. Based on these data, DOE 

believes the presence of an IAD within 

a household excludes the presence of a 

modem and vice-versa. DOE also 

believes that routers are 100% 

correlated with the presence of a 

modem or IAD, and that security 

equipment is uncorrelated with other 

network equipment. Therefore, DOE 

estimated the percentage of households 

with at least one type of network 

equipment to be 76%, by calculating the 

total probability of all device 

combinations. 

The total number of households in the 

U.S. in 2011 was 116 million;19

therefore, the number of households 

using network equipment was 

approximately 88 million. The total 

reported household energy use of 

network equipment was 8.0 billion 

kWh. Therefore, the average U.S. perhousehold energy use for network 

equipment was 90 kWh. 

vi. Personal Space Heating Equipment 

DOE calculated average residential 

energy use for personal space heating 

equipment, in households that used the 

product, based on data from a report on 

residential miscellaneous electric 

loads.20 This report provides annual 

energy use per device and the total 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices 3465 

21AEO 2011. 

22Roth et al. 2007. 

23AEO 2011. 

24Roth et al. 2007. 

25 Desroches and Garbesi, 2011. 

26AEO 2011. 

27 Desroches and Garbesi, 2011. 

28Note: Some totals within the table may not sum 

precisely due to rounding. 

29Zogg, R. et al., 2009. Energy Savings Potential 

and RD&D Opportunities for Commercial Building 

Appliances. Prepared by Navigant Consulting, Inc. 

for DOE. 

30McKenney, K., et al., 2010, Commercial 

Miscellaneous Electric Loads: Energy Consumption 

Characterization and Savings Potential in 2008 by 

Building Type. Prepared by TIAX LLC for DOE. 

number of devices in operation in the 

U.S. Types of personal space heating 

equipment included electric blankets; 

no data were available for other types of 

devices, including electric space 

heaters, which may be a potentially 

significant category of residential energy 

use. See Table 1 for more information. 

The percentage of households with at 

least one type of personal space heating 

equipment was estimated to be 25%. 

The total number of households in the 

U.S. in 2011 was 116 million;21

therefore, the number of households 

using personal space heating equipment 

was approximately 29 million. The total 

reported household energy use of 

personal space heating equipment was 

3.5 billion kWh. Therefore, the average 

U.S. per-household energy use of 

personal space heating equipment was 

121 kWh. 

vii. Thermal Household Equipment 

DOE calculated average residential 

energy use for thermal household 

equipment, in households that used the 

product, based on data from a report on 

residential miscellaneous electric 

loads.22 This report provides annual 

energy use per device and the total 

number of devices in operation in the 

U.S. Types of thermal household 

equipment included clothes irons and 

hair dryers; no data were available for 

other types of devices, which may be 

potentially significant categories of 

residential energy use. See Table 1 for 

more information. Based on these data, 

DOE believes the presence of one type 

of thermal household equipment within 

a household is not necessarily 

correlated with the presence of another 

type of thermal household equipment. 

Therefore, DOE estimated the 

percentage of households with at least 

one type of thermal household 

equipment to be 99%, by calculating the 

total uncorrelated probability of all 

device combinations. 

The total number of households in the 

U.S. in 2011 was 116 million;23

therefore, the number of households 

using thermal household equipment 

was approximately 115 million. The 

total reported household energy use of 

thermal household equipment was 9.9 

billion kWh. Therefore, the average U.S. 

per-household energy use thermal 

household equipment was 86 kWh. 

viii. Thermal Kitchen Equipment 

DOE calculated average residential 

energy use for thermal kitchen 

equipment, in households that used the 

product, based on data from a report on 

residential miscellaneous electric 

loads 24 and DOE’s own estimates.25

These reports provide annual energy use 

per device, and the total number of 

devices in operation in the U.S. Types 

of residential thermal kitchen 

equipment included coffee makers, rice 

cookers, slow cookers, toasters and 

toaster ovens. See Table 1 for more 

information. Based on these data, DOE 

believes the presence of one type of 

thermal kitchen equipment within a 

household is not necessarily correlated 

with the presence of another type of 

thermal kitchen equipment. Therefore, 

DOE estimated the percentage of 

households with at least one type 

thermal kitchen equipment to be 99%, 

by calculating the total uncorrelated 

probability of all device combinations. 

The total number of households in the 

U.S. in 2011 was 116 million;26

therefore, the number of households 

using thermal kitchen equipment was 

approximately 115 million. The total 

reported household energy use of 

thermal kitchen equipment was 12.7 

billion kWh. Therefore, the average U.S. 

per-household energy use of thermal 

kitchen equipment was 110 kWh. 

ix. Other Devices 

Many other types of residential 

products or equipment not covered in 

the discussion above are listed in 

Appendix A of Roth et al. (2007). The 

data available for these types of 

products and equipment include 

estimates of numbers of installed 

devices, unit energy consumption and 

national energy consumption, but no 

energy savings potentials. Some of these 

devices, and other devices not listed in 

the appendix, represent significant 

energy consumption and may warrant 

evaluation by DOE. 

b. Commercial Equipment: Average 

Commercial Energy Use 

DOE calculated average estimated 

energy use for the commercial 

equipment described in this request for 

information based on several reports 

and DOE’s own estimates.27 Table 2 

summarizes available estimates for 

miscellaneous commercial electrical 

equipment. Subsequent discussion 

provides additional detail on DOE’s 

energy use calculations for each product 

category. DOE seeks feedback from 

interested parties on any revised 

estimates of commercial energy use for 

miscellaneous electrical equipment. 

TABLE 2—ENERGY CONSUMPTION ESTIMATES OF MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 28

Stock 

(millions) 

Average 

unit 

energy use 

(kWh/yr) 

Annual 

energy use 

(TWh/yr) 

Notes Source 

Computer Systems 

Desktop ....................................................... 60 500 30.0 ...................... Zogg et al. (2009). 

Laptop ......................................................... 48 28 1.3 ...................... Zogg et al. (2009). 

All computers ....................................... 108 290 31.3 

Desktop monitors ........................................ 65 108 7.0 Low est ........ Zogg et al. (2009). 

160 169 27.0 High est ........ McKenney et al. 

(2010).30

Servers: 

—Low-end (volume) servers ............... 12 .8 2,100 27.3 ...................... Zogg et al. (2009). 

—Mid-range servers ............................ 0 .35 6,900 2.4 Low est ........ Zogg et al. (2009). 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
3466 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices 

31Lanzisera, S., 2010, personal communication, 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. 

32Lanzisera, S., B. Nordman, and R. E. Brown, 

2011. ‘‘Data Network Equipment Energy Use and 

Savings Potential in Buildings.’’ Energy Efficiency, 

23 September, DOI: 10.1007/s12 (053–011–9136–4, 

http://www.springerlink.com/content/ 

tm23317547277650. 

33Zogg et al., 2009; McKenney et al., 2010. 

TABLE 2—ENERGY CONSUMPTION ESTIMATES OF MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 28—Continued 

Stock 

(millions) 

Average 

unit 

energy use 

(kWh/yr) 

Annual 

energy use 

(TWh/yr) 

Notes Source 

1 .3 3,923 5.1 High est ........ McKenney et al. (2010). 

—High-end servers .............................. 0 .018 81,400 1.5 Low est ........ Zogg et al. (2009). 

0 .015 2.13 × 106 32.0 High est ........ McKenney et al. (2010). 

—Subtotal ............................................ 13 .2 2,335 30.7 Low est 

14 .1 4,533 64.0 High est 

Total ..................................................... 186 371 69.5 Low est 

282 434 122.8 High est 

Imaging Equipment 

Fax machines .............................................. 5 .5 55 0.3 Low est ........ McKenney et al. (2010). 

16 .1 320 5.2 High est ........ Zogg et al. (2009). 

Impact printers ............................................ 2 .9 120 0.3 ...................... Zogg et al. (2009). 

Ink-jet printers ............................................. 12 .8 44 0.6 ...................... Zogg et al. (2009). 

Laser printers .............................................. 6 .8 440 3.0 ...................... Zogg et al. (2009). 

Printers ........................................................ 34 .0 324 11.0 ...................... McKenney et al. (2010). 

Copiers ........................................................ 3 .7 730 2.7 ...................... McKenney et al. (2010). 

Scanners ..................................................... 3 .6 28 0.1 Low est ........ McKenney et al. (2010). 

12 .3 37 0.5 High est ........ Zogg et al. (2009). 

Multi-function devices ................................. 6 .0 67 0.4 Low est ........ McKenney et al. (2010). 

8 .6 890 7.7 High est ........ Zogg et al. (2009). 

Total ..................................................... 75 .3 244 18.4 Low est 

97 .2 318 30.9 High est 

Network Equipment 

Commercial Routers/WLAN ........................ 7 250 1.8 ...................... Lanzisera (2010).31

Lanzisera et al. (2011).32

Commercial Switches ................................. 435 16.5 7.2 ...................... Lanzisera (2010). 

Lanzisera et al. (2011). 

ISP Equipment ............................................ 91 14 1.3 ...................... Lanzisera (2010). 

Lanzisera et al. (2011). 

Security Equipment ..................................... 2 .5 920 2.3 ...................... Lanzisera (2010). 

Lanzisera et al. (2011). 

Total ..................................................... * 109 114 12.5 

Uninterruptible Power Supplies 

UPS (double conversion) ............................ 1 .3 3498 4.5 ...................... Zogg et al. (2009). 

UPS (line interactive) .................................. 4 .5 158 0.7 ...................... Zogg et al. (2009). 

UPS (standby) ............................................. 9 .0 131 1.2 ...................... Zogg et al. (2009). 

Total ..................................................... 14 .7 429 6.4 

Vertical Transport Equipment 

Elevators + Escalators ................................ 0 .660 5,910 3.9 Low est McKenney et al. (2010). 

Elevators ..................................................... 0 .700 7,600 5.3 High est Zogg et al. (2009). 

Escalators ................................................... 0 .035 22,850 0.8 High est ........ Zogg et al. (2009). 

Total ..................................................... 0 .660 5,910 3.9 Low est 

0 .735 8,330 6.1 High est 

* Assuming approximately 50 ports per commercial switch. 

i. Computer Systems (Commercial Use) 

DOE calculated average commercial 

energy use for computer systems based 

on data from reports on commercial 

miscellaneous electric loads.33 These 

reports provide annual energy use per 

device and the total number of devices 

in operation in the U.S. Types of 

commercial computer systems include 

desktop computers, laptop computers, 

desktop monitors, and servers. See 

Table 2 for more information. The total 

number of computer systems in all 

commercial settings in the U.S. was 

estimated at between 186 and 282 

million in 2008. The total reported 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices 3467 

34Zogg et al. 2009, excluding products listed 

elsewhere in this RFI. 

35Lanzisera, 2010; Lanzisera et al., 2011. 

36Zogg et al., 2009. 

37Zogg et al., 2009, excluding products listed 

elsewhere in this RFI. 38Roth et al., 2007. 

39 Intertek, personal communication, 2011. 

40Roth et al., 2007. 

41Roth et al., 2007. 

42Roth et al., 2007; Zogg et al., 2009. 

43Lanzisera, 2010; Lanzisera et al., 2011. 

energy use of devices in all commercial 

settings was estimated at between 69.5 

and 122.8 billion kWh. 

ii. Imaging Equipment (Commercial 

Use) 

DOE calculated average commercial 

energy use for imaging equipment based 

on data from reports on commercial 

miscellaneous electric loads.34 These 

reports provide annual energy use per 

device and the total number of devices 

in operation in the U.S. Types of 

commercial imaging equipment 

included ink-jet printers, laser printers, 

impact printers, copiers, scanners, fax 

machines, and multi-function devices 

(such as a combination printer, copier 

and fax). See Table 2 for more 

information. The total number of 

imaging equipment in all commercial 

settings in the U.S. was estimated at 

between 75.3 and 97.2 million in 2008. 

The total reported energy use of devices 

in all commercial settings was estimated 

at between 18.4 and 30.9 billion kWh. 

iii. Network Equipment (Commercial 

Use) 

DOE calculated average commercial 

energy use for network equipment based 

on data from a study on network 

equipment energy use.35 This report 

provides annual energy use per device 

and the total number of devices in 

operation in the U.S. Types of 

commercial network equipment 

included commercial routers/wireless 

local area networks (WLAN), 

commercial switches, Internet service 

provider (ISP) equipment and security 

equipment. See Table 2 for more 

information. The total number of 

network equipment in the U.S. in all 

commercial settings was estimated to be 

109 million in 2008. The total reported 

commercial energy use of network 

equipment was 12.5 billion kWh. 

iv. Uninterruptible Power Supplies 

(UPS) 

DOE calculated average commercial 

energy use for uninterruptible power 

supplies based on data from reports on 

commercial miscellaneous electric 

loads.36 These reports provide annual 

energy use per device and the total 

number of devices in operation in the 

U.S. Types of uninterruptible power 

supplies included double conversion, 

line interactive, and standby, all of 

which are typically found in data 

centers. See Table 2 for more 

information. The total number of 

uninterruptible power supplies in the 

U.S. in all commercial settings was 14.7 

million in 2008. The total reported 

commercial energy use of 

uninterruptible power supplies was 6.4 

billion kWh. 

v. Vertical Transport Equipment 

DOE calculated average commercial 

energy use for vertical transport 

equipment, based on data from reports 

on commercial miscellaneous electric 

loads.37 These reports provide annual 

energy use per device and the total 

number of devices in operation in the 

U.S. Types of vertical transport 

equipment included elevators and 

escalators. See Table 2 for more 

information. The total number of 

vertical transport equipment in all 

commercial settings in the U.S. was 

estimated to lie between 660 and 735 

thousand in 2008. The total reported 

energy use of devices in all commercial 

settings was estimated to lie between 3.9 

and 6.1 billion kWh. 

c. Energy Savings Estimates: Technical 

Potential 

Reports on miscellaneous residential 

and commercial electric products and 

equipment as well as DOE’s own 

estimates, as discussed above, provided 

estimates of typical energy savings from 

these products and equipment ranging 

from 3% to more than 80%. In the 

sections below, the technical savings 

potential has been determined by 

comparing the energy use of best-inclass devices to the average energy use 

for a particular device. DOE seeks 

feedback from interested parties on any 

revised estimates of energy savings 

potential for miscellaneous residential 

and commercial electrical equipment. 

i. Audio-Video Equipment 

Typical energy savings for audio 

equipment vary from approximately 3% 

to 60%, with most of the savings at the 

high end of the range, and typical 

energy savings for video equipment vary 

from approximately 35% to 85%. While 

the power draw in active and idle 

modes has generally decreased in home 

audio and video products as a result of 

gradual technology improvements and 

an increased focus on power 

management by manufacturers, the 

majority of energy savings opportunities 

continue to exist in these two modes. 

ii. Computer Systems 

Typical energy savings for computer 

systems and computer components vary 

from approximately 30% to 45%. 38

Most of these savings arise from better 

power management, but some savings 

are due to lower power draw values in 

each mode as well, presumably from 

more efficient components. 

Improvements in power consumption 

among notebook computers, particularly 

chip-level voltage and clock frequency 

scaling, can be applied to desktop 

computer systems as the architecture is 

virtually identical.39

iii. Household Cleaning Equipment 

ENERGY STAR has evaluated 

potential savings for vacuum cleaners 

and determined that a 17% to 33% 

energy savings is possible by reducing 

motor size from 12 amps to between 8 

and 10 amps, with no impact on 

performance.40 Little other information 

exists about energy savings 

opportunities for vacuum cleaners, 

aside from one identified technology 

that utilizes a closed air circuit to 

reduce the suction motor power, 

achieving a 50% reduction in energy 

use.41 The energy savings potential of 

other household cleaning equipment 

devices is unknown. 

iv. Imaging Equipment 

Typical energy savings for imaging 

equipment can be up to 90%.42 Most of 

these savings arise from better power 

management, but some savings are due 

to lower power draw values in each 

mode (i.e., active and standby modes). 

More efficient electrophotographic (e.g., 

laser) technology can also reduce active 

mode energy use in some devices. 

v. Network Equipment 

Typical energy savings for network 

equipment are approximately 40%.43

Network equipment typically does not 

scale energy consumption with 

utilization. As a result, there is very 

little difference between the active and 

sleep mode power consumption. Some 

technologies exist that allow network 

ports to power down when not in use, 

but wake within a fraction of a second. 

It is not known, however, if such 

options are feasible for security 

systems.44

vi. Personal Space Heating Equipment 

The energy savings opportunities of 

personal space heating equipment are 

mostly unknown. 

vii. Thermal Household Equipment 

While limited information exists, 

clothes irons and hair dryers appear to 


srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
3468 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices 

45Roth et al., 2007. 

46Roth et al., 2007; Desroches and Garbesi, 2011. 

47Zogg et al., 2009. 

48Zogg et al., 2009; McKenney et al., 2010. 

have limited savings opportunities, 

though hair dryers may offer some 

savings by reducing standby losses from 

ground fault circuit interrupters 

(GFCI).45 The energy savings potential 

of other thermal household equipment 

devices is unknown. 

viii. Thermal Kitchen Equipment 

Typical energy savings for examined 

types of thermal kitchen equipment vary 

from approximately 20% to 33%.46

Approaches include use of more 

insulating materials, increasing the 

radiant efficiency of heating elements, 

modifying the internal geometry of the 

devices to prevent undesirable heat loss, 

and automatic shutoff control. In 

particular, for coffee makers, the use of 

a thermal insulating carafe to keep 

brewed coffee hot could reduce energy 

consumption by 26%, with minimal 

impact on consumer utility, other than 

a slightly smaller capacity (which could 

be compensated by a larger exterior 

volume) and slow cooling of the 

beverage (which could conceivably be 

addressed by periodic reheating). For 

toasters and toaster ovens, infrared 

heating elements offer the ability to 

reduce amount of energy required to 

heat the elements and are also very 

efficient radiators. 

ix. Uninterruptible Power Supplies 

(UPS) 

Typical energy savings for 

uninterruptible power supplies are 

approximately 50%.47 The main means 

of accomplishing these savings are 

through replacement of double 

conversion (from AC to DC back to AC 

current) to DC-based power distribution, 

and minimizing UPS system sizing by 

moving from a single, central UPS 

system to distributional approach, 

where small UPS systems are dedicated 

to each machine. 

x. Vertical Transport Equipment 

Typical energy savings for vertical 

transport equipment vary from 

approximately 25% to 30%, though 

some manufacturers of efficient 

escalators claim savings up to 50%.48

Some important improvements include: 

Variable-voltage, variable-frequency 

drives, gearless permanent magnet 

motors, regenerative braking drives (for 

elevators), motor efficiency controllers, 

controls to shut off lights and fans when 

not in use, destination control software 

to optimize elevator trips, and higherefficiency lighting technology (CFL, 

LED). 

d. Consumer Utility Considerations 

Reducing energy consumption when 

equipment is idle or off must be 

balanced against network availability 

and the need for continuous 

communication among many types of 

miscellaneous electrical equipment, 

especially computer systems, imaging 

equipment, network equipment, and, 

increasingly, audio-video equipment. 

Security requirements and wake-up 

time are also important considerations 

for almost all equipment of these types. 

DOE seeks data and information on 

potential utility impacts associated with 

efficiency improvements for the various 

product and equipment types discussed 

above. 

4. Other Regulatory Programs 

The U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency and DOE jointly administer the 

voluntary ENERGY STAR labeling 

program (www.energystar.gov) for 

various products and equipment. 

ENERGY STAR currently has standards 

for miscellaneous residential and 

commercial electrical equipment that 

includes audio-video equipment, 

computers, displays, imaging 

equipment, and set-top boxes & cable 

boxes. ENERGY STAR programs for 

network equipment and uninterruptible 

power supplies are currently under 

development. 

5. Public Participation 

A. Submission of Information 

DOE will accept information and data 

in response to this Request for 

Information under the timeline 

provided in the DATES section above. 

Information submitted to the 

Department by email should be 

provided in WordPerfect, Microsoft 

Word, PDF, or text file format. Those 

responding should avoid the use of 

special characters or any form of 

encryption, and wherever possible, 

comments should include the electronic 

signature of the author. Comments 

submitted to the Department by mail or 

hand delivery/courier should include 

one signed original paper copy. No 

telefacsimiles will be accepted. 

Comments submitted in response to this 

notice will become a matter of public 

record and will be made publicly 

available. 

B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks 

Information 

DOE welcomes comments on all 

aspects of its consideration of 

miscellaneous residential and 

commercial electrical equipment. DOE 

is particularly interested in receiving 

comments from interested parties on the 

following issues: 

(1) Which products or equipment should 

be included in the following categories of 

miscellaneous residential and commercial 

electrical products or equipment: Audiovideo equipment, computer systems, 

household cleaning equipment, imaging 

equipment, medical equipment, network 

equipment, personal space heating 

equipment, thermal household equipment, 

thermal kitchen equipment, uninterruptible 

power supplies, and vertical transport 

equipment. 

(2) Should DOE consider additional 

categories of miscellaneous residential 

electrical products or equipment, such as 

those referenced in Section 3.a)(ix)? 

(3) Recent estimates of the energy use of 

the various types of miscellaneous residential 

and commercial electrical products and 

equipment. 

(4) Examples of efficient technologies and 

energy savings potential of miscellaneous 

residential and commercial electrical 

products and equipment. 

(5) Overview of miscellaneous residential 

and commercial electrical product and 

equipment markets, including stocks in U.S. 

residential and commercial buildings, 

shipments, and efficiency ranges. 

(6) Availability and applicability of U.S. 

and international test procedures for 

miscellaneous residential and commercial 

electrical products and equipment. 

(7) Information regarding potential test 

procedure designs or enhancements for 

categories of miscellaneous electrical 

products and equipment. 

(8) Information regarding voluntary and 

mandatory product labeling programs in the 

U.S. or in other countries that have been 

effective in enabling consumers to chose 

more efficient miscellaneous electrical 

products and equipment. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on January 4, 

2012. 

Kathleen B. Hogan, 

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy 

Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable 

Energy. 

[FR Doc. 2012–1347 Filed 1–23–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission 

Combined Notice of Filings #1 

Take notice that the Commission 

received the following electric rate 

filings: 

Docket Numbers: ER07–562–000. 

Applicants: Trans-Allegheny 

Interstate Line Company. 

Description: Trans-Allegheny 

Interstate Line Company, Revised 

Electronic Informational Filing of 2011 

Formula Rate Annual Update. 


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