47536 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 174 / Tuesday, September 9, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

1Part B of Title III of Energy Policy and

Conservation Act, as amended, is referred to in this

final rule as ‘‘EPCA’’ or the ‘‘Act’’ Part B of Title

III is codified at 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

RIN 1904–AA93

Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products: Test Procedures

for Externally Vented Refrigerators and

Refrigerator-Freezers

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy, Department of

Energy.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy

(Department or DOE) today promulgates

test procedures for measuring the energy

consumption of an externally vented

refrigerator and externally vented

refrigerator-freezer, a technological

innovation which is not covered by the

existing test procedures. Today’s final

rule does not change the test procedures

applicable to refrigerator and

refrigerator-freezer designs without

external venting.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 9, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael G. Raymond, U.S. Department

of Energy, Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE–

43, Forrestal Building, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, D.C., 20585–0121, (202)

586–9611

Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department

of Energy, Office of General Counsel,

Mail Station GC–72, Forrestal

Building, 1000 Independence Avenue,

SW, Washington, D.C. 20585–0103,

(202) 586–9507

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

A. Authority

Part B of Title III of the Energy Policy

and Conservation Act of 1975, Public

Law 94–163, as amended, established

the Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products other than

Automobiles (Program).1 The products

currently subject to this Program

(referred to hereafter as ‘‘covered

products’’) include electric refrigerators

and electric refrigerator-freezers.

Under the Act, the Program consists

essentially of three parts: testing,

labeling, and the Federal energy

conservation standards. This final rule

concerns the testing aspect of this

program. EPCA, § 323, 42 U.S.C. 6293.

The purpose of the test procedures is to

produce test results that measure energy

efficiency, energy use, water use (in the

case of showerheads, faucets, water

closets and urinals), or estimated annual

operating cost of a covered product

during a representative average use

cycle or period of use. The test

procedures shall not be unduly

burdensome to conduct. 42 U.S.C.

6293(b)(3). One hundred and eighty

days after a test procedure for a product

is adopted, no manufacturer may make

representations with respect to energy

use, efficiency or water use of such

product, or the cost of energy consumed

by such product, except as reflected in

tests conducted according to the DOE

procedure. 42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(2). The

Department, with assistance from the

National Institute of Standards and

Technology, may amend or establish

new test procedures, as appropriate, for

any covered product.

Test procedures promulgated by DOE

appear at 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B.

The ‘‘Uniform Test Method for

Measuring the Energy Consumption of

Electric Refrigerators and Electric

Refrigerator-Freezers’’ appears at

Appendix A1 to Subpart B.

Section 323(e) of the Act requires

DOE to determine to what extent, if any,

a proposed test procedure would alter

the measured energy efficiency,

measured energy use or measured water

use of any covered product as

determined under the existing test

procedure. If DOE determines that an

amended test procedure would alter the

measured efficiency or measured use of

a covered product, DOE is required to

amend the applicable energy

conservation standard accordingly. In

determining the amended energy

conservation standard, DOE is required

to measure the energy efficiency or

energy use of a representative sample of

covered products that minimally

comply with the existing standard. The

average energy use of this representative

sample, determined under the amended

test procedure, constitutes the amended

standard. EPCA, § 323(e)(2), 42 U.S.C.

6293(e)(2).

B. Background

On March 14, 1995, Edward Schulak

Equities, Inc. (‘‘ESE’’) submitted a letter

to the Department regarding the

inapplicability of existing test

procedures in Appendix A1 to

externally vented refrigerators. ESE

submitted a description of an externally

vented refrigerator from a recently

granted patent. ESE claimed that

allowing cooler outside air to be passed

over the condenser/compressor of a

refrigerator would reduce energy

consumption of the refrigerator. ESE

explained that the existing test

procedures address only a closed system

without the possibility of transfer of

exterior air cooler than the ambient

room temperature.

While ESE’s letter was submitted as a

petition for waiver, the Department

concluded that its waiver process was

not appropriate because waivers apply

to ‘‘basic models,’’ and no models are

currently being manufactured

incorporating this invention, nor is the

invention being produced for

retrofitting. Therefore, the Department

published ESE’s letter and issued a

Notice of Inquiry inviting public

comment on several issues relating to

externally vented refrigerators. 60 FR

37603, 37604 (July 21, 1995). No public

comments were received in response to

this Notice of Inquiry.

On November 13, 1995, acting upon

the Department’s suggestion, ESE

submitted a draft of proposed

amendments to the test procedures for

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers.

The Department referred this submittal

to the National Institute of Standards

and Technology (NIST). NIST, the

Department and ESE representatives

extensively discussed the requirements

for test procedures for externally vented

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers.

On April 8, 1997, DOE published a

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR),

to amend the test procedures for

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. 62

FR 16739. DOE proposed to add test

procedure amendments specific to

externally vented refrigerators and

externally vented refrigerator-freezers.

The current test procedures for

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers,

found at 10 CFR Part 430, Appendix A1

of Subpart B, do not address testing of

externally vented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers. The existing test

procedures apply to a refrigerator

system to which cool outside air cannot

be introduced for purposes of heat

transfer. Externally vented refrigerators

would be designed to permit outside air

to be introduced across the refrigerator’s

condenser and compressor and, in some

cases, throughout the walls of the

refrigerator. The introduction of outside

air at temperatures lower than the

ambient room air temperature permits

more efficient heat transfer, potentially

resulting in energy savings.

The Department has therefore revised

the test procedures to include

provisions tailored to measuring the

energy consumption of externally

vented refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers. These provisions add to, rather
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 174 / Tuesday, September 9, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 47537

than replace, the existing test

procedures, which remain fully

applicable to both externally vented

vented refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers and refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers that are not

externally vented. The amendments

provide a method for accurately

measuring the energy consumption of

an enclosed, externally vented

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer unit

and take account of design features (e.g.,

enclosed condenser, outside air

conduits, dampers) peculiar to an

externally vented refrigerator or

refrigerator-freezer that circulates

outside air around its condenser. With

these amendments, the test procedures

provide a basis for making comparable

measurements of energy consumption

for both externally vented vented

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers

and refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers that are not externally vented.

More information about these test

procedure amendments may be found in

the NOPR. 62 FR 16739 (April 8, 1997).

Today’s rule amends the test

procedures for electric refrigerators and

electric refrigerator-freezers appearing

in 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B,

Appendix A1 by: (1) adding a definition

of externally vented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers to which the

revisions are applicable, (2) prescribing

test conditions for externally vented

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, (3)

specifying energy consumption

measurement tests for externally vented

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers,

and (4) including calculation methods

for deriving results from test

measurements.

These test procedure amendments

apply only to this product design and

do not apply to existing product designs

of refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers

without this feature. Existing test

procedures for non-externally vented

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers

remain unchanged. The energy

conservation standards for refrigerators

and refrigerator-freezers are unaffected

by the adoption or use of the new test

procedures because the new test

procedure amendments do not apply to

any refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer

that is currently manufactured.

II. Discussion

In response to the April 8, 1997,

NOPR, the Department received one

comment, which was from Mark L.

Perlis, counsel to ESE, urging the

adoption of the test procedures in the

NOPR. The Department believes it is

appropriate to proceed to a final rule

promulgating the test procedures as

proposed. The Department today

amends the test procedures applicable

to electric refrigerators and electric

refrigerator-freezers (10 CFR Part 430,

Subpart B, Appendix A1), as follows:

1. Definitions and applicability of

amended test procedures. The

Department defines ‘‘externally vented

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer’’ as a

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer with

an enclosed condenser or an enclosed

condenser/compressor compartment,

and a set of air ducts for transferring

exterior air from outside the building

envelope into, through, and out of the

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer

condenser or condenser/compressor

compartment (section 1.12). Energy

consumption savings from an externally

vented refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer

should be achievable for outside air

temperatures between 60 °F and 80 °F.

Above 80 °F, outside air may be warmer

than ambient room air, making heat

transfer in the wrong direction for

energy savings. Below 60 °F, outside air

may too cool for optimal operation of

the unit. The amendments to the test

procedures are generally predicated

upon a design that permits the

exclusion and/or mixing of outside air

that is either above 80 °F or below 60

°F. (In the case that the mixing control

is not able to maintain an inlet

temperature of 60 °F, section 5.4.2.4 is

invoked, and energy performance with

inlet temperatures of 50 °F and 30 °F are

measured.) Accordingly, the

amendments to the test procedures will

apply only under conditions where the

externally vented refrigerator or

refrigerator-freezer design is capable of

mixing the exterior air drawn in from

outside the building envelope with the

ambient room air. The modification

includes thermostatically controlled

dampers or controls that: (1) enable the

proper mixing of outside and ambient

room air when the outside air

temperature is lower than 60 °F, and (2)

exclude outside air warmer than 80 °F,

or warmer than room air temperature

(section 1.12). Externally vented units

could have temperature controls that

exclude outside air either at a pre-set

temperature no lower than 80 °F or

when the outside air temperature

exceeds the ambient room air

temperature (section 1.12). The test

procedures require that prior to

conducting energy consumption tests,

the operability of thermostatic controls

be verified (section 5.4.1). All tests must

generally be conducted with the

thermostatic controls operable. A

special rule is provided for testing

energy consumption when mixing

controls do not operate properly

(section 5.4.2.4). The energy

consumption of any exterior air fan that

draws air to the refrigerator cabinet will

be included in the total energy

consumption measurements specified in

section 5.2.1.

2. Exterior air source. The Department

recognizes that actual testing should

take place under conditions of variable

exterior air temperatures and, therefore,

requires that prescribed test conditions

include the provision of an external air

source that provides air at adjustable

temperature and pressure capabilities

(section 2.6). The test procedures

prescribe the location of temperature

sensors for measuring the air

temperature at the inlet to the

condenser/compressor compartment

(section 2.6.2). Air temperature will also

be measured at the exterior air source.

Temperature measurements are to be

made at prescribed intervals.

3. Air ducts. Externally vented

refrigerators and refrigerator/freezers

depend upon air ducts to transfer

exterior air to the refrigerator cabinet.

Rather than specifying the length,

diameter, shape and material of the

duct, the Department specifies air

pressure requirements as a uniform test

condition (section 2.6.3). Specifically,

the test procedures require exterior air

pressure at the inlet to the refrigerator

unit be maintained at a negative

pressure of 0.20′′ ± 0.05′′ water column

(62 Pa ± 12.5 Pa). The test procedures

also specify location distances for the

pressure sensors, relative to the exterior

air source (i.e., the inlet to the building

envelope) and to the condenser inlet.

4. Applicability of general test method

conditions. The amendments to the test

procedures are not intended to supplant

existing test methods applicable to all

other refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers. Accordingly, the amendments

provide that, except as expressly

modified, the test conditions and

specifications included in the existing

test procedures also apply to externally

vented refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers (section 5.4).

5. Energy consumption correction

factor for test measurements. The

Department prescribes a series of

formulas for determining energy

consumption from test measurements.

First, the Department recognizes that

energy consumption of any refrigerator

will be different with and without door

openings. Under the existing test

procedure, refrigerators are tested at 90

°F without door openings to simulate

the energy consumption they would

have at normal room temperature with

door openings. Normal room

temperature for the refrigerator test

procedure is considered to be 80 °F, the

typical temperature of the ambient air
47538 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 174 / Tuesday, September 9, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

surrounding the refrigerator’s

condenser. An externally vented

refrigerator will show an artificially low

energy consumption compared to an

unvented refrigerator when tested at 90

°F room air temperature, because 90 °F

is warmer than normal room

temperature. The Department therefore

requires calculation of a correction

factor for each basic model of externally

vented refrigerator. The correction factor

is the ratio of the energy consumption

of an externally vented refrigerator (with

external venting disabled) at 90 °F inlet

air temperature to the energy

consumption of the unit at 80 °F inlet

air temperature (sections 5.4.2.1 and

6.3.1).

6. Energy consumption test

measurements and calculations. Based

on analysis by NIST and its derivation

of an algebraic equation for determining

energy consumption over a range of

outside air temperatures, the

Department has determined that test

measurements of energy consumption

need be taken at only two outside air

temperatures, 90 °F and 60 °F (sections

5.4.2.2 and 5.4.2.3). If the outside air

temperature is not in this range, mixing

controls and dampers will keep the

condenser inlet temperature within the

range. Accordingly, the Department

prescribes an energy profile equation

that will allow for the interpolation of

energy consumption at outside air

temperatures within this range (section

6.3.4). The parameters of the energy

profile equation are determined for each

basic model of externally vented

refrigerator that is tested, based on the

measured energy consumption during

testing at 90 °F and 60 °F.

Once the parameters of the energy

profile equation are determined, the test

procedures provide a basis for

calculating energy consumption at

various temperatures. Because

temperatures vary across the country,

throughout a day, and throughout the

year, the test procedures specify an

energy consumption formula that

determines a unit’s total energy

consumption based on weighted

averaging of the unit’s energy

consumption at different exterior air

temperatures. The test procedures

provide weighting factors for a national

average energy consumption (section

6.3.6) and weighting factors for four

different regions of the country, which

are identified on a map. This procedure

was based on the test procedure for heat

pumps, for which energy savings are

also a function of climate. The regional

map is the same as that used in the heat

pump test procedure, except Regions I

and II from the heat pump test

procedure are combined and called

Region I. Externally vented refrigerators

need only be tested at 90 °F and 60 °F,

and from such measurements,

application of the correction factor, and

application of the energy profile

equation, the unit’s average per cycle

energy consumption can be determined

for the nation as a whole and for each

of the four regions of the country.

7. Reporting requirements.

Refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers

are required to report annual energy

consumption. For externally vented

products, the annual energy

consumption will depend on climate.

The annual energy consumption

reported for externally vented products

shall be the national average annual

energy use. Separate reporting of

regional energy use is not required.

III. Review Under the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969

In this rule, the Department

promulgates amendments to the test

procedures for refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers to include

externally vented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers. The Department

has determined that this rule is covered

under the Categorical Exclusion found

at paragraph A.5 of Appendix A to

Subpart D, 10 CFR Part 1021, which

applies to the amendment of an existing

rule that does not change the

environmental effect of the rule.

Implementation of this final rule will

not affect the quality or distribution of

energy usage and therefore will not

result in any environmental impacts.

Accordingly, neither an environmental

assessment nor an environmental

impact statement is required.

IV. Regulatory Review

Today’s final rule has been

determined not to be a ‘‘significant

regulatory action’’ under Executive

Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory Planning and

Review,’’ (58 FR 51735, October 4,

1993). Accordingly, today’s action was

not subject to review under the

Executive Order by the Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs.

V. Regulatory Flexibility Review

This rule has been reviewed under the

Regulatory Flexibility Act, Pub. L. 96–

354 (42 U.S.C. 601–612) which requires

preparation of a regulatory flexibility

analysis for any regulation that will

have a significant economic impact on

a substantial number of small entities.

This rule would not have significant

economic impact on manufacturers of

externally vented refrigerators and

refrigerator-freezers (there are presently

no such manufacturers). This rule

modifies the testing methods to provide

a testing procedure for a new design

feature of refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers. DOE accordingly certifies that

this final rule will not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial

number of small entities and that

preparation of a regulatory flexibility

analysis is not warranted.

VI. ‘‘Takings’’ Assessment Review

It has been determined pursuant to

Executive Order 12630 (52 FR 8859,

March 18, 1988) that this final rule will

not result in any takings which might

require compensation under the Fifth

Amendment to the United States

Constitution.

VII. Federalism Review

Executive Order 12612 (52 FR 41685,

October 30, 1987) requires that

regulations or rules be reviewed for any

substantial direct effects on States, on

the relationship between the Federal

Government and the States, or on the

distribution of power and

responsibilities among various levels of

Government. If there are sufficient

substantial direct effects, the Executive

Order 12612 requires the preparation of

a Federalism assessment to be used in

decisions by senior policy makers in

promulgating or implementing the

regulation.

This final rule will not alter the

distribution of authority and

responsibility to regulate in this area.

This rule will only revise a currently

applicable DOE test procedure to

accommodate a technological

development in the manufacture of

refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers.

Accordingly, DOE has determined that

preparation of a federalism assessment

is unnecessary.

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act Review

This rule contains no new collections

of information under the Paperwork

Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

IX. Review Under Unfunded Mandates

Reform Act of 1995

Section 202 of the Unfunded

Mandates Reform Act of 1995

(‘‘Unfunded Mandates Act’’) requires

that the Department prepare a budgetary

impact statement before promulgating a

rule that includes a Federal mandate

that may result in expenditure by state,

local, and tribal governments, in the

aggregate, or by the private sector, of

$100 million or more in any one year.

The budgetary impact statement must

include: (1) identification of the Federal

law under which the rule is

promulgated; (2) a qualitative and

quantitative assessment of anticipated

costs and benefits of the Federal
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 174 / Tuesday, September 9, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 47539

mandate and an analysis of the extent to

which such costs to state, local, and

tribal governments may be paid with

Federal financial assistance; (3) if

feasible, estimates of the future

compliance costs and of any

disproportionate budgetary effects the

mandate has on particular regions,

communities, non-Federal units of

government, or sectors of the economy;

(4) if feasible, estimates of the effect on

the national economy; and (5) a

description of the Department’s prior

consultation with elected

representatives of state, local, and tribal

governments and a summary and

evaluation of the comments and

concerns presented.

The Department has determined that

this action does not include a Federal

mandate that may result in estimated

costs of $100 million or more to state,

local or to tribal governments in the

aggregate or to the private sector.

Therefore, the requirements of Sections

203 and 204 of the Unfunded Mandates

Act do not apply to this action.

X. Review Under Executive Order

12988, ‘‘Civil Justice Reform’’

With respect to the review of existing

regulations and the promulgation of

new regulations, Section 3(a) of

Executive Order 12988, ‘‘Civil Justice

Reform,’’ 61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996),

imposes on executive agencies the

general duty to adhere to the following

requirements: (1) eliminate drafting

errors and ambiguity; (2) write

regulations to minimize litigation; and

(3) provide a clear legal standard for

affected conduct rather than a general

standard and promote simplification

and burden reduction. With regard to

the review required by Section 3(a),

Section 3(b) of the Executive Order

specifically requires that Executive

agencies make every reasonable effort to

ensure that the regulation: (1) clearly

specifies the preemptive effect, if any;

(2) clearly specifies any effect on

existing Federal law or regulation; (3)

provide a clear legal standard for

affected conduct while promoting

simplification and burden reduction; (4)

specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5)

adequately defines key terms; and (6)

addresses other important issues

affecting clarity and general

draftsmanship under any guidelines

issued by the Attorney General. Section

3(c) of the Executive Order requires

Executive agencies to review regulations

in light of applicable standards Section

3(a) and Section 3(b) to determine

whether they are met or it is

unreasonable to meet one or more of

them. DOE reviewed today’s rulemaking

under the standards of Section 3 of the

Executive Order and determined that, to

the extent permitted by law, they meet

the requirements of those standards.

XI. Congressional Notification

Consistent with the Small Business

Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996,

DOE will submit to Congress a report

regarding the issuance of today’s final

rule prior to the effective date set forth

at the outset of this notice. The report

will note the Office of Management and

Budget’s determination that this rule

does not constitute a ‘‘major rule’’ under

that Act. 5 U.S.C. 801, 804.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430

Administrative practice and

procedure, Energy conservation,

Household appliances.

Issued in Washington, D.C., on August 1,

1997.

Joseph J. Romm,

Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency

and Renewable Energy.

For the reasons set forth in the

preamble, part 430 of chapter II of title

10, Code of Federal Regulations is

amended as follows:

PART 430—ENERGY CONSERVATION

PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER

PRODUCTS

1. The authority citation for part 430

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309.

2. Section 430.23(a) is amended by

adding the parenthetical phrase ‘‘(6.3.6

for externally vented units)’’ after

‘‘determined according to 6.2’’ in the

following locations: paragraph (a)(1)(ii);

paragraph (a)(2)(ii); paragraph (a)(3)(ii);

paragraph (a)(4)(i)(B); paragraph

(a)(4)(ii)(B); paragraph (a)(5).

3. Section 430.23(a) is further

amended by adding paragraphs (a)(7),

(a)(8), and (a)(9) to read as follows:

§ 430.23 Test procedures for measures of

energy consumption.

(a) * * *

(7) The estimated regional annual

operating cost for externally vented

electric refrigerators and externally

vented electric refrigerator-freezers

without an anti-sweat heater switch

shall be the product of the following

three factors:

(i) The representative average-use

cycle of 365 cycles per year,

(ii) The regional average per-cycle

energy consumption for the standard

cycle in kilowatt-hours per cycle,

determined according to 6.3.7 of

appendix A1 of this subpart and

(iii) The representative average unit

cost of electricity in dollars per

kilowatt-hour as provided by the

Secretary, the resulting product then

being rounded off to the nearest dollar

per year.

(8) The estimated regional annual

operating cost for externally vented

electric refrigerators and externally

vented electric refrigerator-freezers with

an anti-sweat heater switch shall be the

product of the following three factors:

(i) The representative average-use

cycle of 365 cycles per year,

(ii) Half the sum of the average percycle energy consumption for the

standard cycle and the regional average

per-cycle energy consumption for a test

cycle with the anti-sweat heater switch

in the position set at the factory just

prior to shipping, each in kilowatt-hours

per cycle, determined according to 6.3.7

of appendix A1 of this subpart, and

(iii) The representative average unit

cost of electricity in dollars per

kilowatt-hour as provided by the

Secretary, the resulting product then

being rounded off to the nearest dollar

per year.

(9) The estimated regional annual

operating cost for any other specified

cycle for externally vented electric

refrigerators and externally vented

electric refrigerator-freezers shall be the

product of the following three factors:

(i) The representative average-use

cycle of 365 cycles per year,

(ii) The regional average per-cycle

energy consumption for the specified

cycle, in kilowatt-hours per cycle,

determined according to 6.3.7 of

appendix A1 of this subpart, and

(iii) The representative average unit

cost of electricity in dollars per

kilowatt-hour as provided by the

Secretary, the resulting product then

being rounded off to the nearest dollar

per year.

* * * * *

4. Section 1 of Appendix A1 to

subpart B is amended by adding the

following definition 1.12:

Appendix A1 to Subpart B of Part 430—

Uniform Test Method for Measuring the

Energy Consumption of Electric

Refrigerators and Electric RefrigeratorFreezers

1. Definitions

* * * * *

1.12 ‘‘Externally vented refrigerator or

refrigerator-freezer’’ means an electric

refrigerator or electric refrigerator-freezer

that: has an enclosed condenser or an

enclosed condenser/compressor

compartment and a set of air ducts for

transferring the exterior air from outside the

building envelope into, through and out of

the refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer cabinet;

is capable of mixing exterior air with the

room air before discharging into, through,
47540 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 174 / Tuesday, September 9, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

and out of the condenser or condenser/

compressor compartment; includes

thermostatically controlled dampers or

controls that enable the mixing of the exterior

and room air at low outdoor temperatures,

and the exclusion of exterior air when the

outdoor air temperature is above 80 °F or the

room air temperature; and may have a

thermostatically actuated exterior air fan.

5. Section 2 of Appendix A1 is

amended by adding the following new

sections 2.6 through 2.6.3:

2. Test Conditions

* * * * *

2.6 Exterior air for externally vented

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer. An exterior

air source shall be provided with adjustable

temperature and pressure capabilities. The

exterior air temperature shall be adjustable

from 35±1 °F (1.7±0.6 °C) to 90±1 °F (32.2±0.6

°C).

2.6.1 Air duct. The exterior air shall pass

from the exterior air source to the test unit

through an insulated air duct.

2.6.2 Air temperature measurement. The

air temperature entering the condenser or

condenser/compressor compartment shall be

maintained to ±3 °F (1.7 °C) during the

stabilization and test periods and shall be

measured at the inlet point of the condenser

or condenser/compressor compartment

(‘‘condenser inlet’’). Temperature

measurements shall be taken from at least

three temperature sensors or one sensor per

4 square inches of the air duct cross sectional

area, whichever is greater, and shall be

averaged. For a unit that has a condenser air

fan, a minimum of three temperature sensors

at the condenser fan discharge shall be

required. Temperature sensors shall be

arranged to be at the centers of equally

divided cross sectional areas. The exterior air

temperature, at its source, shall be measured

and maintained to ±1 °F (0.6 °C) during the

test period. The temperature measuring

devices shall have an error not greater than

±0.5 °F (±0.3 °C). Measurements of the air

temperature during the test period shall be

taken at regular intervals not to exceed four

minutes.

2.6.3 Exterior air static pressure. The

exterior air static pressure at the inlet point

of the unit shall be adjusted to maintain a

negative pressure of 0.20′′±0.05′′ water

column (62 Pa±12.5 Pa) for all air flow rates

supplied to the unit. The pressure sensor

shall be located on a straight duct with a

distance of at least 7.5 times the diameter of

the duct upstream and a distance of at least

3 times the diameter of the duct downstream.

There shall be four static pressure taps at 90°

angles apart. The four pressures shall be

averaged by interconnecting the four pressure

taps. The air pressure measuring instrument

shall have an error not greater than 0.01′′

water column (2.5 Pa).

6. Section 5 of Appendix A1 is

amended by adding the following new

sections 5.4 through 5.4.2.4:

5. Test Measurements

* * * * *

5.4 Externally vented refrigerator or

refrigerator-freezer units. All test

measurements for the externally vented

refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer shall be

made in accordance with the requirements of

other sections of this appendix, except as

modified in this section 5.4 or other sections

expressly applicable to externally vented

refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers.

5.4.1 Operability of thermostatic and

mixing of air controls. Prior to conducting

energy consumption tests, the operability of

thermostatic controls that permit the mixing

of exterior and ambient air when exterior air

temperatures are less than 60 °F must be

verified. The operability of such controls

shall be verified by operating the unit under

ambient air temperature of 90 °F and exterior

air temperature of 45 °F. If the inlet air

entering the condenser or condenser/

compressor compartment is maintained at 60

°F, plus or minus three degrees, energy

consumption of the unit shall be measured

under 5.4.2.2 and 5.4.2.3. If the inlet air

entering the condenser or condenser/

compressor compartment is not maintained

at 60 °F, plus or minus three degrees, energy

consumption of the unit shall also be

measured under 5.4.2.4.

5.4.2 Energy consumption tests.

5.4.2.1 Correction factor test. To enable

calculation of a correction factor, K, two full

cycle tests shall be conducted to measure

energy consumption of the unit with air

mixing controls disabled and the condenser

inlet air temperatures set at 90 °F (32.2 °C)

and 80 °F (26.7 °C). Both tests shall be

conducted with all compartment temperature

controls set at the position midway between

their warmest and coldest settings and the

anti-sweat heater switch off. Record the

energy consumptions ec90 and ec80, in kWh/

day.

5.4.2.2 Energy consumption at 90 °F. The

unit shall be tested at 90 °F (32.2 °C) exterior

air temperature to record the energy

consumptions (e90)i in kWh/day. For a given

setting of the anti-sweat heater, i corresponds

to each of the two states of the compartment

temperature control positions.

5.4.2.3 Energy consumption at 60 °F. The

unit shall be tested at 60 °F (26.7 °C) exterior

air temperature to record the energy

consumptions (e60)i in kWh/day. For a given

setting of the anti-sweat heater, i corresponds

to each of the two states of the compartment

temperature control positions.

5.4.2.4 Energy consumption if mixing

controls do not operate properly. If the

operability of temperature and mixing

controls has not been verified as required

under 5.4.1, the unit shall be tested at 50 °F

(10.0 °C) and 30 °F (¥1.1 °C) exterior air

temperatures to record the energy

consumptions (e50)i and (e30)i. For a given

setting of the anti-sweat heater, i corresponds

to each of the two states of the compartment

temperature control positions.

7. Section 6 of Appendix A1 is

amended by adding the following new

sections 6.3 through 6.3.7, table A and

figure 1:

6. Calculation of Derived Results From Test

Measurements

* * * * *

6.3 Externally vented refrigerator or

refrigerator-freezers. Per-cycle energy

consumption measurements for the

externally vented refrigerator or refrigeratorfreezer shall be calculated in accordance with

the requirements of this Appendix, as

modified in sections 6.3.1–6.3.7.

6.3.1 Correction factor. A correction

factor, K, shall be calculated as:

K = ec90/ec80

where ec90 and ec80 = the energy

consumption test results as determined

under 5.4.2.1.

6.3.2 Combining test results of different

settings of compartment temperature

controls. For a given setting of the anti-sweat

heater, follow the calculation procedures of

6.2 to combine the test results for energy

consumption of the unit at different

temperature control settings for each

condenser inlet air temperature tested under

5.4.2.2, 5.4.2.3, and 5.4.2.4, where applicable,

(e90)i, (e60)i, (e50)i, and (e30)i. The combined

values are ε90, ε60, ε50, and ε30, where

applicable, in kWh/day.

6.3.3 Energy consumption corrections.

For a given setting of the anti-sweat heater,

the energy consumptions ε90, ε60, ε50, and ε30

calculated in 6.3.2 shall be adjusted by

multiplying the correction factor K to obtain

the corrected energy consumptions per day,

in kWh/day:

E90 = K × ε90,

E60 = K × ε60

E50 = K × ε50, and

E30 = K × ε30

where,

K is determined under section 6.3.1, and ε90,

ε60, ε50, and ε30 are determined under

section 6.3.2.

6.3.4 Energy profile equation. For a given

setting of the anti-sweat heater, the energy

consumption EX, in kWh/day, at a specific

exterior air temperature between 80 °F (26.7

°C) and 60 °F (26.7 °C) shall be calculated by

the following equation:

EX = a + bTX,

where,

TX = exterior air temperature in °F;

a = 3E60¥2E90, in kWh/day;

b = (E90¥E60)/30, in kWh/day per °F.

6.3.5 Energy consumption at 80 °F (26.7

°C), 75 °F (23.9 °C) and 65 °F (18.3 °C). For

a given setting of the anti-sweat heater,

calculate the energy consumptions at 80 °F

(26.7 °C), 75 °F (23.9 °C) and 65 °F (18.3 °C)

exterior air temperatures, E80, E75 and E65,

respectively, in kWh/day, using the equation

in 6.3.4.

6.3.6 National average per cycle energy

consumption. For a given setting of the antisweat heater, calculate the national average

energy consumption, EN, in kWh/day, using

one of the following equations:

EN = 0.523 × E60 + 0.165 × E65 + 0.181 × E75

+ 0.131 × E80, for units not tested under

5.4.2.4,

EN = 0.257 × E30 + 0.266 × E50 + 0.165 × E65

+ 0.181 × E75 + 0.131 × E80, for units

tested under 5.4.2.4,

where,

E30, E50, and E60 are defined in 6.3.3,

E65, E75, and E80 are defined in 6.3.5, and

the coefficients are weather associated

weighting factors.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 174 / Tuesday, September 9, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 47541

6.3.7 Regional average per cycle energy

consumption. If regional average per cycle

energy consumption is required to be

calculated, for a given setting of the antisweat heater, calculate the regional average

per cycle energy consumption, ER, in kWh/

day, for the regions in figure 1 using one of

the following equations and the coefficients

in the table A:

ER = a1 × E60 + c × E65 + d × E75 + e × E80,

for a unit that is not required to be tested

under 5.4.2.4,

ER = a × E30 + b × E50 + c × E65 + d × E75

+ e × E80, for a unit tested under 5.4.2.4,

where:

E30, E50, and E60 are defined in 6.3.3,

E65, E75, and E80 are defined in 6.3.5, and

a1, a, b, c, d, e are weather associated

weighting factors for the Regions, as

specified in Table A:

TABLE A.—COEFFICIENTS FOR CALCULATING REGIONAL AVERAGE PER CYCLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION

[Weighting Factors]

Regions a1 a b c d e

I ......................................................................................................................................... 0.282 0.039 0.244 0.194 0.326 0.198

II ........................................................................................................................................ 0.486 0.194 0.293 0.191 0.193 0.129

III ....................................................................................................................................... 0.584 0.302 0.282 0.178 0.159 0.079

IV ....................................................................................................................................... 0.664 0.420 0.244 0.161 0.121 0.055

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P

§ 430.62 [Amended]

8. Section 430.62(a)(2) is amended by inserting after ‘‘(for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers),’’ in the

first sentence, the following: ‘‘the national average annual energy use and adjusted volume (for externally vented refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers),’’.

[FR Doc. 97–22379 Filed 9–08–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450–01–C