57FR2740

Federal Register / Vol. 57, No. 15 1 Thursday, January 23, 1992 / Notices

ADDRESSES: Written comments and

statements shall be sent to: Department

of Energy, Office of Conservation and

Renewable Energy, Case No. F-042, Mail

Stop CE-00, room 63-025, Forrestal

Building, 1000 Independence Avenue.

SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-

3012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Cyrus H. Nasseri, U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of Conservation and

Renewable Energy, Mail Station CE43, Forrestal Building, 1000

Independence Avenue SW.,

Washington, DC 20585 (202) 586-9127

Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department

of Energy, Office of General Counsel.

Mail Station GC-41, Forrestal

Building, 1000 Independence Avenue

SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202)

586-9507.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products (other than

automobiles) was established pursuant

Office of Conservation and

Renewable Energy

Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products; Granting of the

Application for Interim Waiver and

Publishing of the Petition for Waiver of

Furnace Test Procedures From Carrier

Corp. (Case No. F-042)

AGENCY: Office of Conservation and

Renewable Energy, Department of

Energy.

SUMMARY: Today's notice publishes a

letter granting an Interim Waiver to

Carrier Corporation (Carrier) from the

existing Department of Energy (DOE)

test procedures for furnaces regarding

blower time delay for the company's

58GFA/394HAD, 58PAP/383KAD,

58DFA/396HAD, 58RAP/373LAD,

GAlA,'and GAZA induced draft

furnaces. _

Today's notice also publishes a

"Petition for Waiver" from Carrier.

Carrier's Petition for Waiver requests

DOE to grant relief from the DOE test

procedures relating to the blower time

delay specification. Carrier seeks to test

using a blower delay time of 45 seconds

for its 58GFA/394HAD, 58PAP/383KAD,

58DFA/396HAD, 58RAP/373LAD,

GAZA, and GAZA induced draft

furnaces instead of the specified 1.5-

minute delay between burner on-time

and blower on-time. DOE is soliciting

comments, data, and information

respecting the Petition for Waiver,

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data,

and information not later than February

24.1992.

to the Energy Policy and Conservation

Act (EPCA), Public Law 94-163, 89 Stat.

917, as amended by the National Energy

Conservation Policy Act (NECPA),

Public Law 95-619, 92 Stat. 3266, the

National Appliance Energy

Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA).

Public Law 100-12, and the National

Appliance Energy Conservation

Amendments of 1988 (NAECA 1988),

Public Law 100-357, which requires DOE

to prescribe standardized test

procedures to measure the energy

consumption of certain consumer

products, including furnaces. The intent

of the test procedures is to provide a

comparable measure of energy

consumption that will assist consumers

in making purchasing decisions. These

test procedures appear at 10 CFR part

430, Subpart B.

DOE amended the prescribed test

procedures by adding 10 CFR 430.27 on

September 26,1980, creating the waiver

process. 45 FR 64108. Thereafter DOE

further amended the appliance test

procedure waiver process to allow the

Assistant Secretary for Conservation

and Renewable Energy (Assistant

Secretary) to grant an Interim Waiver

from test procedure requirements to

manufacturers that have petitioned DOE

for a waiver of such prescribed test

procedures. 51 FR 42823, November 26.

1986.

The waiver process allows the

Assistant Secretary to waive

temporarily test procedures for a

particular basic model when a petitioner

shows that the basic model contains one

or more design characteristics which

prevent testing according to the

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 75
57FR2740

Federal Register / Vol. 57, No. 15 / Thursday, January 23, 1992 / Notices 2741

prescribed test procedures or when the 55 FR 31099, July 31, 1990, and 56 FR

prescribed test procedures may evaluate 27959 , June 18, 1991; Amana

the basic model in a manner so. -. Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR 853, January 9,

unrepresentative of its true energy 1991, and 56 FR 29957, July 1,1991;

consumption as to provide materially Armstrong Air Conditioning , inc., 56 FR

inaccurate comparative data. Waivers . 10553, March 13, 1991, 56 FR 34200, July

generally remain in effect until final test 26, 1991 , and 56 FR 63941, December 6,

procedure amendments become 1991 ; Snyder General Corporation, 56 FR

effective, resolving the problem that is 14511, April 10,.1991; Goodman

the subject of the waiver. Manufacturing Corporation, 56 FR 20421,

The Interim Waiver provisions, added May 3, 1991; Thermo Products, Inc., 56

by the 1986 amendment, allow the FR 32205, July 15,1991; and The Ducane

Assistant Secretary to grant an Interim Company , 58 FR 45958, September 9,

Waiver when it is determined that the 1991 , and 56 FR 64510, December 10,

applicant will experience economic 1991. Thus, it appears likely that the

hardship if the Application for Interim Petition for Waiver will be granted for

Waiver is denied, if it appears likely blower time delay.

that the Petition for Waiver will be In those instances where the likely

granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary success of the Petition for Waiver has

determines that it would be desirable for . been demonstrated based upon DOE

public policy reasons to grant immediate having granted a waiver for a similar

relief pending a determination on the product design, it is in the public interest

Petition for Waiver. An Interim Waiver to have similar products tested and

remains in effect for a period of 180 days rated for energy consumption on a

or until DOE issues its determination on comparable basis.

the Petition for Waiver, whichever is Therefore, based on the above, DOE is

sooner, and may be extended for an granting Carrier an Interim Waiver for

additional 180 days, if necessary. its 58GFA/394HAD, 58PAP/383KAD,

On October 21. 1991, Carrier filed an 58DFA/396HAD, 58RgP/373LAD,

Application for Interim Waiver GAZA, and GAZA induced draft

regarding blower time delay. Carrier's furnaces. Pursuant to paragraph (e) of

Application seeks an interim Waiver section 430.27 of the Code of Federal

from the DOE test provisions that Regulations, the following letter granting

require a 1.5-minute time delay between the Application for Interim Waiver to

the ignition of the burner and starting of Carrier was issued.

the circulating air blower. Instead. Pursuant to paragraph (b) of 10 CFR

Carrier requests the allowance to test 430.27, DOE is hereby publishing the

using a 45-second blower time delay "Petition for Waiver " in its entirety. The

when testing its 58GFA/394HAD, petition contains no confidential

58PAP/383KAD, 58DFA/396HAD, information. DOE solicits comments,

58RAP/373LAD, GALA, and GAZA data, and information respecting the

induced draft furnaces. Carrier states petition.

that the 45-second delay is indicative of issued in Washiu tcm , DC, January 6 1992.

how these furnaces actually operate. j. Midiaei Davis,

Such a delay results in an energy Assistant Secretary, Coneervatian and

savings of approximately 0.6 percent. Renewable Energy.

Since current DOE test procedures do

not address this variable blower time

delay, Carrier asks that the Interim

Department of Energy

Washington, DC 20585

Waiver be granted. January is. 1992

Previous waivers for this type of Mr. Edward A. Baily,

timed blower delay control have been Vice Preaide.n4 Government and Industry

granted by DOE to Coleman Company, Relations, Carrier Corporation, P.O. Box

50 FR 2710, January 18,1985; Magic Chef 4&)8 Syracuse, NY 13721

Company, 50 FR 41553, October 11,1985; October Dr 1 1,

, 1

9

991

91y: This in response to your

, Application for Interim

Rheem Manufacturing Company, 53 FR Waiver and Petition for Waiver from the

48574, December 1, 1988, 55 FR 3253 , Department of Energy (DOE) test procedures

January 31, 1990, 55 FR 39521, September for furnaces regarding blower time delay for

12,1990, and 56 FR 63946, December 6, Carrier Corporation (Carrier) 58GFA/

1991; Trane Company, 54 FR 19226, May 394HAD, 58PAP/383KAD, 58DFA/396HAD,

4, 1989, 55 FR 41589, October 12,1990, 58RAP/373LAD, GAZA, and GA2A induced

and 56 FR 84609, December 11,1991; draft furnaces.

Lennox Industries, 54 FR 50525 ,

Previous waivers for this type of timed

December 7, 1989; DMO Industries, 55 blower delay control have been granted De De February DOE to Coleman Company, 50 FR 2710, 4004, 6,1990; Hest-Quaker January 16,1965; Magic Chef Company, 50 FR

Corporation, 55 FR 13164, April 9, 1990; 41553, October 11, 1965; Rheem

Carrier Corporation, 55 FR 13182, April Manufacturing Company, 53 FR 45574,

9,1990; Inter-City Products Corporation, December 1,1985, 55 FR 3253, january 31,

1990. 55 FR 37521, September12, 1990, and 58

FR 63948. December 6, 1991 ; Trane Company,

54 FR 19228, May 4, 1989, 55 FR 41589,

October 12, 1990, and 58 64809 December 11,

1991; Lennox Industries, 54 FR 50525,

December 7. 198R DMO Industries, 55 FR

4004, February 6,1990; Heil-Quaker

Corporation, 55 FR 13184. April 9,1990;

Carrier Corporation, 55 FR 13182, April 9,

1990; Inter-City Products Corporation, 55 FR

31099, July 51. 1990, and 56 FR 27959, June 18,

1991; Amana Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR 853,

January 9, 1991. and 56 FR 29957, July 1,1991;

Armstrong Air Conditioning, Inc., 56 FR

10553, March 13, 1991, 56 FR 34200, July 26,

1991, and 56 FR 83941, December 8,1991;

Snyder General Corporation, 56 FR 14511,

April 10, 1991; Goodman Manufacturing

Corporation, 56 FR 20421 , May 3,1991;

Thermo Products, inc., 58 FR 32205, July 15,

1991; and The Ducane Company. 56 FR 45958,

September 9, 1991 , and 56 FR 64510.

December 10,1991.

Carrier's Application for Interim Waiver

does not provide sufficient information to

evaluate what, if any, economic impact or

competitive disadvantage Carrier will likely

experience absent a favorable determination

on its application. However, in those

instances where the likely success of the

Petition for Waiver has been demonstrated

based upon DOE having granted a waiver for

a similar product design, it is in the public

interest to have similar products tested and

rated for energy consumption on a

comparable basis.

Therefore, Canter's Application for an

Interim Waiver from the DOE test procedures

for its 58GFA/394HAD, 58PAP/383KAD,

58DFA/396HAD, 58RAP/373LAD, GAZA, and

GAZA induced draft furnaces regarding

blower time delay is granted.

Carrier shall be permitted to test its line of

58GFA/394HAD, 58PAP/383KAD, 58DFA/

396HAD, 58RAP/373LAD, GALA, and GAZA

induced draft furnaces on the basis of the test

procedures specified in 10 CFR Part 430,

Subpart B, Appendix N, with the modification

set forth below.

(i) Section 3.0 in Appendix N is deleted and

replaced with the following paragraph:

3.0 Test Procedure. Testing and

measurements shall be as specified in section

9 in ANSI/AHRAE 103-82 with the exception

of sections 9.2.2, 9.3.1, and 9.3.2, and the

inclusion of the following additional

procedures: -

(ii) Add a new paragraph 3.10 in Appendix

N as follows:

3.10 Gas- and Oil-Fueled Central Furnaces.

After equilibrium conditions are achieved

following the cool-down test and the required

measurements performed, turn on the furnace

and measure the flue gas temperature, using

the thermocouple grid described above, at 0.5

and 2.5 minutes after the main burner(s)

comes on. After the burner start-up, delay the

blower start-up by 15 minutes (t-), unless: (1)

the furnace employs a single motor to drive

the power burner and the indoor air

circulation blower, in which case the burner

and blower shall be started together, or (2)

the furnace is designed to operate using an

unvarying delay time that is other than 1.5

minutes, in which case the fan control shall

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 75
57FR2740

2742 Federal Register / Vol. 57, No. 15 / Thursday, January 23, 1992 / Notices

be permitted to start the blower, or (3) the

delay time results in the activation of a

temperature safety device which shuts off the

burner. in which case the fan control shall be

permitted to start the blower. In the latter

case, if the fan control is adjustable, set it to

start the blower at the highest temperature. If

the fan control is permitted to start the

blower, measure time delay, (t-), using a stop

watch. Record the measured temperatures.

During the heat-up test for oil-fueled

furnaces, maintain the draft in the flue pipe

within x-0.01 inch of water column of the

manufacturer's recommended on-period

draft.

This Interim Waiver is based upon the

presumed validity of statements and all

allegations submitted by the company. This

Interim Waiver may be revoked or modified

at any time upon a determination that the

factual basis underlying the application is

incorrect.

The Interim Waiver shall remain in effect

for a period of 180 days or until DOE acts on

the Petition for Waiver, whichever is sooner,

and may be extended for an additional 180-

day period, if necessary.

Sincerely.

J. Michael Davis,

Assistant Secretary Conservation and

Renewable Energy.

October 21.1991.

The Assistant Secretary for Conservation and

Renewable Energy,

United States Department of Energy, 1000

Independence Avenue SW., Washington.

DC 20585.

Subject: Petition For Waiver and Application

for Interim Waiver.

Gentlemen:

This is a Petition for Waiver and

Application for Interim Waiver which are

submitted pursuant to title 10 CFR 430.27 as

amended November 14, 1986 . Waiver is

requested from Test Procedures for

Measuring the Energy Consumption of

Furnaces found in appendix N to subpart B of

part430.

Under the existing Test Procedure, a 1.5

minute time delay between burner and

blower startup is required: Carrier requests a

waiver from the specified 1.5 minute delay. In

its place , we request the use of a 45-second

delay on Carrier's line of 58GFA /394HAD.

58PAP/383KAD, 58DFA/396HAD, 58RAP/

373LAD, GAZA and GA2A induced draft

furnaces.

The time delay in all lines of equipment is

fixed within the furnace control, and cannot

be adjusted by the installer or servicer.

The current test procedures do not credit

Carrier for the energy savings associated

with the shorter blower time delays. Test

data on our mid-efficiency furnaces show a

7.9% decrease in the heat-up cycle energy

loss when using the 45-second delay,

resulting in an increase in AFUE of

approximately 0.8 AFUE points. Confidential

supporting test data is available upon

request.

Carrier is confident that a waiver will be

granted for public policy reasons in the light

of previous rulings in which DOE granted

waivers of this type to Lennox Industries,

Inter-City Products, Amana, Rheem

Manufacturing, and the Trane Company. In

addition, an interim waiver of this type was

recently granted to Goodman and SnyderGeneral. Lastly, the proposed ASHRAE 103-

88 allows the use of non-adjustable bloweron-delays in place of the specified 90

seconds. Both DOE and NIST were

instrumental in the development of Standard

i03-89, and suggested it be included so as to

address furnaces with fixed blower-ondalays.

Respectfully,

Edward A. Bally,

Vice President, Government &Industry

Relations

[FR Doc. 92-1881 Filed 1-22-92; 8:45 am]

BIWNG CODE "50-01-M

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 75