This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

29048 

Vol. 83, No. 121 

Friday, June 22, 2018 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

10 CFR Part 431 

[EERE–2017–BT–TP–0029] 

Energy Conservation Program: Test 

Procedure for Water-Source Heat 

Pumps 

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy, Department of 

Energy. 

ACTION: Request for information (RFI). 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of 

Energy (‘‘DOE’’) is initiating a data 

collection process through this RFI to 

consider whether to amend DOE’s test 

procedure for commercial water-source 

heat pumps (‘‘WSHPs’’). To inform 

interested parties and to facilitate this 

process, DOE has gathered data, 

identifying several issues associated 

with the currently applicable test 

procedure on which DOE is interested 

in receiving comment. The issues 

outlined in this document mainly 

concern: Methods that are incorporated 

by reference by the applicable industry 

standard; efficiency metrics and 

calculations; additional specifications 

for the test methods; and any additional 

topics that may inform DOE’s decisions 

in a future test procedure rulemaking, 

including methods to reduce regulatory 

burden while ensuring the test 

procedure’s accuracy. DOE welcomes 

written comments from the public on 

any subject within the scope of this 

document (including topics not raised 

in this RFI). 

DATES: Written comments and 

information are requested and will be 

accepted on or before July 23, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are 

encouraged to submit comments using 

the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

Alternatively, interested persons may 

submit comments, identified by docket 

number EERE–2017–BT–TP–0029, by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Email: WSHP2017TP0029@

ee.doe.gov. Include the docket number 

EERE–2017–BT–TP–0029 in the subject 

line of the message. 

• Postal Mail: Appliance and 

Equipment Standards Program, U.S. 

Department of Energy, Building 

Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B, 

Test Procedure RFI for Water-Source 

Heat Pumps, Docket No. EERE–2017– 

BT–TP–0029, 1000 Independence 

Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585– 

0121. If possible, please submit all items 

on a compact disc (‘‘CD’’), in which case 

it is not necessary to include printed 

copies. 

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance 

and Equipment Standards Program, U.S. 

Department of Energy, Building 

Technologies Office, 950 L’Enfant Plaza 

SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024. 

Telephone: (202) 287–1445. If possible, 

please submit all items on a CD, in 

which case it is not necessary to include 

printed copies. 

No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be 

accepted. For detailed instructions on 

submitting comments and additional 

information on the rulemaking process, 

see section III of this document. 

Docket: The docket for this activity, 

which includes Federal Register 

notices, comments, and other 

supporting documents/materials, is 

available for review at http://

www.regulations.gov. All documents in 

the docket are listed in the http://

www.regulations.gov index. However, 

some documents listed in the index, 

such as those containing information 

that is exempt from public disclosure, 

may not be publicly available. 

The docket web page can be found at: 

https://www.regulations.gov/ 

docketBrowser?rpp=25&po=0&D=EERE2017-BT-TP-0029. The docket web page 

contains instructions on how to access 

all documents, including public 

comments, in the docket. See section III 

of this document for information on 

how to submit comments through 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Antonio Bouza, U.S. Department 

of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy, Building 

Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000 

Independence Avenue SW, Washington, 

DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 

586–4563. Email: 

ApplianceStandardsQuestions@

ee.doe.gov. 

Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of 

Energy, Office of the General Counsel, 

GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, 

Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: 

(202) 586–9507. Email: Eric.Stas@

hq.doe.gov. 

For further information on how to 

submit a comment, or review other 

public comments and the docket, 

contact the Appliance and Equipment 

Standards Program staff at (202) 

287–1445 or by email: 

ApplianceStandardsQuestions@

ee.doe.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents 

I. Introduction 

A. Authority and Background 

B. Rulemaking History 

II. Request for Information 

A. Scope and Definitions 

B. Energy Efficiency Descriptor 

1. Fan Energy Use 

2. Integrated Efficiency Metrics 

C. Test Procedure 

1. ISO 13256–1:1998 

2. Potential for Harmonization With ANSI/ 

ASHRAE 37–2009 

3. Accounting for Compressor Heat When 

Testing Split Systems 

4. Refrigerant Line Losses 

5. Standardized Heat Capacity for Water 

6. Discharge Coefficients for Airflow 

Measurement 

7. Duct Loss Adjustments 

8. Water Flow Rate 

9. Indoor Air Measurements 

10. Refrigerant Charging 

11. Voltage 

D. Other Test Procedure Topics 

III. Submission of Comments 

I. Introduction 

WSHPs are included in the list of 

‘‘covered equipment’’ for which DOE is 

authorized to establish and amend 

energy efficiency standards and test 

procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(B)–(D)) 

DOE’s test procedure for WSHPs is 

prescribed at title 10 of the Code of 

Federal Regulations (‘‘CFR’’) § 431.96. 

The following sections discuss DOE’s 

authority to establish and amend test 

procedures for WSHPs, as well as 

relevant background information 

regarding DOE’s consideration of test 

procedures for this equipment. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2018 / Proposed Rules 29049 

1All references to EPCA in this document refer 

to the statute as amended through the Energy 

Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015 (EEIA 2015), 

Public Law 114–11 (April 30, 2015). 

2For editorial reasons, upon codification in the 

U.S. Code, Part C was redesignated Part A–1. 

A. Authority and Background 

The Energy Policy and Conservation 

Act of 1975 (‘‘EPCA’’ or ‘‘the Act’’),1

Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291– 

6317, as codified), among other things, 

authorizes DOE to regulate the energy 

efficiency of a number of consumer 

products and industrial equipment. 

Title III, Part C2 of EPCA, added by 

Public Law 95–619, Title IV, section 

441(a), established the Energy 

Conservation Program for Certain 

Industrial Equipment, which sets forth a 

variety of provisions designed to 

improve energy efficiency. This 

equipment includes small, large, and 

very large commercial package air 

conditioning and heating equipment, 

which include the WSHPs that are the 

subject of this notice. (42 U.S.C. 

6311(1)(B)–(D)) 

Under EPCA, DOE’s energy 

conservation program consists 

essentially of four parts: (1) Testing, (2) 

labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation 

standards, and (4) certification and 

enforcement procedures. Relevant 

provisions of the Act include definitions 

(42 U.S.C. 6311), energy conservation 

standards (42 U.S.C. 6313), test 

procedures (42 U.S.C. 6314), labeling 

provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315), and the 

authority to require information and 

reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 

6316). 

Federal energy efficiency 

requirements for covered equipment 

established under EPCA generally 

supersede State laws and regulations 

concerning energy conservation testing, 

labeling, and standards. (42 U.S.C. 

6316(a) and (b); 42 U.S.C. 6297) DOE 

may, however, grant waivers of Federal 

preemption for particular State laws or 

regulations, in accordance with the 

procedures and other provisions of 

EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6316(b)(2)(D)) 

The DOE testing requirements consist 

of test procedures that manufacturers of 

covered equipment must use as the 

basis for: (1) Certifying to DOE that their 

equipment complies with the applicable 

energy conservation standards adopted 

pursuant to EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6316(b); 42 

U.S.C. 6296), and (2) making 

representations about the efficiency of 

that equipment (42 U.S.C. 6314(d)). 

Similarly, DOE must use these test 

procedures to determine whether the 

equipment complies with relevant 

standards promulgated under EPCA. 

Under 42 U.S.C. 6314, EPCA sets forth 

the criteria and procedures DOE is 

required to follow when prescribing or 

amending test procedures for covered 

equipment. EPCA requires that any test 

procedures prescribed or amended 

under this section must be reasonably 

designed to produce test results which 

reflect energy efficiency, energy use, or 

estimated annual operating cost of 

covered equipment during a 

representative average use cycle or 

period of use and requires that test 

procedures not be unduly burdensome 

to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)) 

In addition, if DOE determines that a 

test procedure amendment is warranted, 

it must publish proposed test 

procedures and offer the public an 

opportunity to present oral and written 

comments on them. (42 U.S.C. 6314(b)) 

As discussed, WSHPs are a category 

of commercial package air conditioning 

and heating equipment. EPCA requires 

that the test procedures for commercial 

package air conditioning and heating 

equipment be those generally accepted 

industry testing procedures or rating 

procedures developed or recognized by 

the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and 

Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) or by the 

American Society of Heating, 

Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers (ASHRAE), as referenced in 

ASHRAE Standard 90.1, ‘‘Energy 

Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings’’ (ASHRAE 

Standard 90.1). (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(A)) 

Further, if such an industry test 

procedure is amended, DOE must 

amend its test procedure to be 

consistent with the amended industry 

test procedure, unless DOE determines, 

by rule published in the Federal 

Register and supported by clear and 

convincing evidence, that such 

amended test procedure would not meet 

the requirements in 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2) 

and (3) related to representative use and 

test burden. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B)) 

EPCA also requires that, at least once 

every 7 years, DOE evaluate test 

procedures for each type of covered 

equipment, including WSHPs, to 

determine whether amended test 

procedures would more accurately or 

fully comply with the requirements for 

the test procedures to not be unduly 

burdensome to conduct and be 

reasonably designed to produce test 

results that reflect energy efficiency, 

energy use, and estimated operating 

costs during a representative average 

use cycle. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)) In 

addition, if DOE determines that a test 

procedure amendment is warranted, it 

must publish proposed test procedures 

and offer the public an opportunity to 

present oral and written comments on 

them. (42 U.S.C. 6314(b)) If DOE 

determines that test procedure revisions 

are not appropriate, DOE must publish 

its determination not to amend the test 

procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)(A)(ii)) 

DOE is publishing this RFI to collect 

data and information to inform its 

decision in satisfaction of the 7-year 

review requirement specified in EPCA. 

(42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)) 

B. Rulemaking History 

DOE sets forth the test procedure for 

WSHPs with a cooling capacity less 

than 135,000 Btu/h at 10 CFR 431.96. 

The DOE test procedure currently 

incorporates by reference International 

Organization for Standardization (ISO) 

Standard 13256–1 (1998), ‘‘Water-source 

heat pumps-Testing and rating for 

performance-Part 1: Water-to-air and 

brine-to-air heat pumps,’’ (ISO 13256– 

1:1998) and includes additional 

provisions for equipment set-up at 10 

CFR 431.96(e). Paragraph (e) of 10 CFR 

431.96 provides specifications for 

addressing key information typically 

found in the installation and operation 

manuals. 

DOE initially incorporated ISO 

13256–1:1998 as the referenced test 

procedure for WSHPs on October 21, 

2004 (69 FR 61962), and DOE last 

reviewed the test procedure for WSHPs 

as part of a final rule for test procedures 

for commercial package air conditioners 

and heat pumps published on May 16, 

2012 (77 FR 28928). Since then, the 

relevant industry standards have 

undergone a reevaluation process which 

did not result in substantive changes to 

the referenced standards. (See section 

II.C.1 of this RFI for a more complete 

explanation of the industry update 

process.) Because these actions by the 

relevant industry standard-setting 

bodies contained no substantive 

changes to the industry standard already 

incorporated by reference, DOE has 

tentatively concluded that the statutory 

trigger provisions of 42 U.S.C. 

6314(a)(4)(B) do not provide a basis for 

DOE to review its WSHP test procedure 

at this time. Therefore, if DOE 

determines, based upon its assessment 

of the information submitted in 

response to this RFI, that a rulemaking 

is necessary for a reevaluation of the 

WSHP test procedure, DOE would 

conduct such review under EPCA’s 7- 

year-lookback authority. (42 U.S.C. 

6314(a)(1)) 

II. Request for Information 

In the following sections, DOE has 

identified a variety of issues on which 

it seeks input to aid in the development 

of the technical and economic analyses 

regarding whether amended test 


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29050 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

procedures for WSHPs may be 

warranted. Specifically, DOE is 

requesting comment on any 

opportunities to streamline and simplify 

testing requirements for WSHPs. 

Additionally, DOE welcomes 

comments on other issues relevant to 

the conduct of this process that may not 

specifically be identified in this 

document. In particular, DOE notes that 

under Executive Order 13771, 

‘‘Reducing Regulation and Controlling 

Regulatory Costs,’’ Executive Branch 

agencies such as DOE are directed to 

manage the costs associated with the 

imposition of expenditures required to 

comply with Federal regulations. See 82 

FR 9339 (Feb. 3, 2017). Pursuant to that 

Executive Order, DOE encourages the 

public to provide input on measures 

DOE could take to lower the cost of its 

regulations applicable to WSHPs 

consistent with the requirements of 

EPCA. 

A. Scope and Definition 

This RFI covers WSHPs, which DOE 

defines at 10 CFR 431.92, as a singlephase or three-phase reverse-cycle heat 

pump that uses a circulating water loop 

as the heat source for heating and as the 

heat sink for cooling. The main 

components are a compressor, 

refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger, 

refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger, 

refrigerant expansion devices, 

refrigerant reversing valve, and indoor 

fan. Such equipment includes, but is not 

limited to, water-to-air water-loop heat 

pumps. 

DOE notes that while the current 

Federal test procedure and energy 

conservation standards at 10 CFR 431.96 

and 431.97 apply only to those WSHPs 

with a rated cooling capacity below 

135,000 Btu/h (i.e., within the covered 

equipment type of small commercial 

package air conditioning and heating 

equipment; 42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(B)), 

WSHPs also meet the definitions of the 

covered equipment types large and very 

large commercial package air 

conditioning and heating equipment. 

(42 U.S.C. 6311(8)(A), (C)–(D)) DOE 

understands that the market for WSHPs 

greater than 135,000 Btu/h may be 

limited, but DOE has identified some 

models on the market in the larger 

capacity range. Therefore, DOE may 

consider expanding the scope of the 

WSHP TP to include WSHPs with 

cooling capacity equal to or greater than 

135,000 Btu/h. 

Issue 1: DOE seeks data on the size of 

the market for WSHPs with a cooling 

capacity equal to or greater than 135,000 

Btu/h. DOE also requests comment on 

whether there are any limitations, not 

otherwise captured in this RFI, 

associated with testing WSHPs in this 

large and very large capacity range. 

B. Energy Efficiency Descriptor 

For WSHPs, the cooling metric 

currently specified by DOE is the energy 

efficiency ratio (EER). 10 CFR 431.96. 

EER is the ratio of the produced cooling 

effect of the WSHP to its net work input, 

expressed in Btu/watt-hour, and 

measured at standard rating conditions. 

The heating mode metric currently 

specified by DOE for WSHPs is the 

coefficient of performance (COP). Id. 

COP is the ratio of the produced heating 

effect of the WSHP to its network input, 

when both are expressed in identical 

units of measurement, and measured at 

standard rating conditions. 

1. Fan Energy Use 

DOE is aware that the energy use of 

field-installed fans will vary based on 

the use of the fan for various functions 

(e.g., economizing, ventilation, 

filtration, and auxiliary heat). 

Consequently, DOE is investigating 

whether changes to the WSHP test 

procedure are needed to properly 

characterize a representative average use 

cycle, including changes to more 

accurately represent fan energy use in 

field applications. DOE also seeks 

comment on any anticipated burdens 

associated with such potential changes 

to the WSHPs test procedure. DOE also 

requests information as to the extent 

that accounting for the energy use of 

fans in commercial equipment such as 

WSHPs would be additive of other 

existing accounting of fan energy use. 

DOE also seeks information as to 

whether accounting for the energy use 

of fan operation in WSHPs would alter 

measured efficiency, and if so, to what 

extent. 

Issue 2: DOE requests data and 

information regarding what form(s) of 

auxiliary heating are installed in 

WSHPs, how frequently they operate, 

and whether they operate 

independently of the WSHP. 

Additionally, DOE requests data and 

information on how frequently WSHP 

supply fans are operated when there is 

no demand for heating or cooling (i.e., 

for fresh air ventilation or air 

circulation/filtration). 

Issue 3: DOE requests data and 

information on the typical operating 

schedules or duty cycles for WSHP 

supply fans when there is no demand 

for heating or cooling. DOE also seeks 

comment and information regarding the 

use of the indoor supply fan of WSHPs 

for any ancillary functions not 

mentioned above. 

ISO 13256–1:1998 uses a fan power 

adjustment calculation to exclude fan 

power used for overcoming external 

resistance on ducted equipment. As a 

result, the calculation of efficiency only 

includes the fan power required to 

overcome the internal resistance of the 

unit. Similarly, only liquid pump power 

required to overcome the internal 

resistance of the unit is included in the 

effective power input used for efficiency 

calculation for WSHPs. 

ISO 13256–1:1998 does not provide 

minimum external static pressure (ESP) 

requirements for ducted equipment; 

however, Table 9 of ISO 13256–1:1998 

includes an operating tolerance (i.e., 

maximum variation of individual 

reading from rating conditions) and a 

condition tolerance (i.e., maximum 

variation of arithmetical average values 

from specified test conditions) for 

external resistance to airflow. ISO 

13256–1:1998 does not specify to which 

values of ESP these tolerances are 

intended to apply. 

Issue 4: DOE requests comment on 

whether the test procedure for WSHPs 

should include minimum ESP 

requirements for the indoor fan, and if 

so, what values would be representative 

of field installations. DOE seeks 

information on whether field ESP values 

typically vary with capacity, and 

whether fan power used for overcoming 

ESP should be included in the 

efficiency calculation for WSHPs 

intended to be used with ducting. 

Similarly, DOE seeks information on 

what ESP values are typical in field 

installations for the liquid pump and 

whether any allowance for external 

liquid pressure drop should be 

considered in the efficiency metric. 

DOE is aware that some WSHPs may 

be installed with or without indoor air 

distribution ducts in the field. 

Depending on the type of installation, 

the test method specified in ISO 13256– 

1:1998 differs; section 4.1.2 of ISO 

13256–1:1998 specifies provisions for 

WSHPs installed without ducts, and 

section 4.1.3 of that standard specifies 

provisions for WSHPs installed with 

ducts. DOE’s preliminary research has 

not revealed any physical characteristics 

of WSHPs that distinguish them as 

being suitable for installation with 

ducts, without ducts, or both. ISO 

13256–1:1998 does not specify how to 

determine whether a WSHP is to be 

tested using the ducted or non-ducted 

provisions. 

Issue 5: DOE requests comment on 

what, if any, physical characteristics 

distinguish WSHPs that are suitable for 

installation with ducts from those 

suitable for installation without ducts. 

DOE also requests comment on whether 

any WSHP models can be installed 

either with or without indoor air 


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distribution ducts. If models exist that 

can be installed both with or without 

ducts, DOE requests comment on 

whether manufacturers test such models 

using the provisions of section 4.1.2 of 

ISO 13256–1:1998, which is for heat 

pumps without duct connection, or 

using the provisions of section 4.1.3 of 

that standard for heat pumps with duct 

connection, or test such models using 

both provisions of sections 4.1.2 and 

4.1.3. 

ISO 13256–1:1998 provides 

requirements for airflow rates in section 

4.1.5, including that: (a) Non-ducted 

heat pumps shall be tested at airflow 

rates obtained at zero ESP; (b) ducted 

heat pumps with internal fans or with 

designated air movers be tested at the 

airflow rates obtained at zero ESP or the 

manufacturer-specified airflow rate, 

whichever is lower, and (c) ducted heat 

pumps without internal fans shall be 

tested at the manufacturer-specified 

airflow rate subject to a maximum 

internal pressure drop. Additionally, 

paragraph (e)(2) of 10 CFR 431.96 

requires that the airflow rate used for 

testing must be specified by the 

manufacturer in the installation and 

operation manuals being shipped to the 

commercial customer. ISO 13256– 

1:1998 does not indicate what speed 

setting should be used to achieve 

specified airflow for a fan with more 

than one speed setting. Also, in some 

cases, the airflow rate and pressure 

conditions specified by ISO 13256– 

1:1998 for a given ducted heat pump 

without an internal fan may not be 

achievable simultaneously. For 

example, the manufacturer-specified 

airflow may not be achievable below the 

maximum internal pressure drop 

specified in section 4.1.5.3 of ISO 

13256–1:1998. ISO 13256–1:1998 does 

not provide an approach for 

simultaneously achieving the specified 

airflow rate and pressure conditions for 

such a case. 

Issue 6: DOE requests comment on 

whether WSHP indoor fans typically 

have multiple speed settings, and if so, 

how manufacturers decide which speed 

setting to use during testing. Further, 

DOE requests comment on how the 

specified airflow is achieved during 

testing if none of the speed settings 

available with the indoor fan produce 

the specified airflow at the specified 

internal or external static pressure 

(when applicable). 

ISO 13256–1:1998 uses a fan 

efficiency value of 0.3 × 103 Pascal-liters 

per second per watt to calculate the fan 

power associated with internal or 

external airflow resistance (see sections 

4.1.3.1 and 4.1.3.2 of that test standard, 

respectively). However, DOE recognizes 

that fan and motor technology is 

evolving, including associated 

improvements in efficiency. 

Consequently, the fan efficiency value 

used in ISO 13256–1:1998 may not be 

reflective of these improvements for 

WSHPs that include an integral fan/ 

motor that is based on new, moreefficient technology. On the other hand, 

DOE notes that for other airconditioners and heat pumps (e.g., 

central air-conditioners), indoor units 

that do not include integrated fans (i.e., 

coil-only units) are often installed with 

an existing, external fan that is part of 

a furnace. The furnace is not always 

replaced when the new indoor unit is 

installed. In these cases, the efficiency 

of the external fan (i.e., the furnace fan) 

reflects performance of past fan 

technology. This scenario may or may 

not be relevant for WSHPs. 

Issue 7: DOE seeks comment and data 

on whether the fan/motor efficiency 

factor used in the calculation of fan 

power for WSHPs is representative of 

units currently on the market and 

whether the value accurately represents 

the efficiency of existing fans that are 

not replaced in WSHP installations. 

DOE also requests comment on whether 

indoor fans are typically replaced when 

coil-only WSHPs are installed. DOE also 

seeks comment regarding potential test 

approaches that might lead to more 

direct representation of efficiency of the 

fan/motor combination under test 

instead of relying on a single factor for 

all units. 

DOE notes that all of the issues 

considered in this section address 

potential changes to the test procedure 

for WSHPs that could be reflected in the 

cooling and/or heating efficiency 

metrics (i.e., EER or integrated energy 

efficiency ratio (IEER; see section II.B.2), 

and COP) for WSHPs in order to make 

them more representative of the energy 

contributions of all operating modes. 

This approach would not regulate the 

fans separately from the end-use 

equipment (i.e., the WSHP). 

Issue 8: Assuming DOE has authority 

to address fans embedded in other 

commercial equipment such as WSHPs 

(a conclusion the agency has not yet 

reached), DOE is interested in receiving 

comment and other information on this 

topic. DOE requests comment on 

whether any of the issues considered in 

this section would result in doubleregulation of the energy use of fans in 

WSHPs, and if so, how. DOE further 

seeks comment as to whether or what 

portion of such fan operation is part of 

a ‘‘representative average use cycle’’ of 

a WSHP. DOE also seeks comment as to 

whether accounting for the energy use 

of fan operation in WSHPs would alter 

measured efficiency, and if so, to what 

extent. 

2. Integrated Efficiency Metrics 

DOE’s test procedure for WSHPs does 

not include part-load conditions nor a 

seasonal metric that includes part-load 

performance. A seasonal metric is a 

weighted average of the performance of 

cooling or heating systems at different 

rating points intended to represent 

average efficiency over a full cooling or 

heating season. Several categories of 

commercial package air conditioning 

and heating equipment are rated using 

a seasonal metric, such as the IEER for 

air cooled commercial unitary air 

conditioners as discussed in section 6.2 

of AHRI Standard 340/360–2015, ‘‘2015 

Standard for Performance Rating of 

Commercial and Industrial Unitary AirConditioning and Heat Pump 

Equipment,’’ (‘‘AHRI 340/360–2015’’). 

IEER is a weighted average of efficiency 

at the four load levels representing 100, 

75, 50, and 25 percent of full-load 

capacity, each measured at an outdoor 

air condition representative of field 

operation at the given load level. 

Issue 9: DOE requests information on 

whether a seasonal efficiency metric 

that incorporates part-load performance 

would be appropriate for WSHPs. DOE 

also requests input on the specific 

details of a seasonal energy efficiency 

metric that would best represent the 

average cooling seasonal efficiency of 

WSHPs, including specification of test 

conditions. 

C. Test Procedure 

1. ISO 13256–1:1998 

At this time, ISO 13256–1:1998 is still 

the most current industry standard 

relevant to water-source heat pumps. In 

2012, AHRI and ASHRAE reaffirmed 

ISO 13256–1:1998, and published a 

version denoted as ISO 13256–1:1998 

(RA 2012). DOE tentatively determined 

that there are no changes to ISO 13256– 

1:1998 in the reaffirmed 2012 version. 

ISO 13256–1:1998 is also referenced in 

ASHRAE Standard 90.1 as the test 

procedure for testing and rating WSHPs. 

ASHRAE Standard 90.1 was updated on 

October 26, 2016, and this update 

references the reaffirmed version of ISO 

13256–1:1998 that DOE tentatively 

determined contains no changes from 

the version of ISO 13256–1:1998 

referenced in the previous version of 

ASHRAE Standard 90.1. Because 

neither of these actions by the relevant 

industry standard-setting bodies 

contained substantive changes to the 

industry standards already incorporated 

by reference, DOE has tentatively 

concluded that the statutory trigger 


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29052 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

3The alternative calorimeter room test method 

(see normative annex E of ISO 13256–1:1998), 

allowed to be used instead of the indoor air 

enthalpy method for ductless WSHPs, also 

measures indoor space-conditioning capacity 

directly. 

provisions of 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B) do 

not require DOE to review its WSHP test 

procedure at this time. Instead, if DOE 

determines, based upon its assessment 

of the information submitted in 

response to the RFI, that a rulemaking 

is necessary for a reevaluation of the 

WSHP test procedure, DOE would 

conduct such review under EPCA’s 7- 

year-lookback authority. (42 U.S.C. 

6314(a)(1)) 

2. Potential for Harmonization With 

ANSI/ASHRAE 37–2009 

The test method used in ISO 13256– 

1:1998 is similar to the American 

National Standards Institute (ANSI)/ 

ASHRAE 37–2009, ‘‘Methods of Testing 

for Rating Electrically Driven Unitary 

Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump 

Equipment’’ (ANSI/ASHRAE 37–2009). 

ANSI/ASHRAE 37–2009 is the method 

referenced by the 2007 and 2015 

versions of AHRI 340/360, ‘‘Standard for 

Performance Rating of Commercial and 

Industrial Unitary Air-Conditioning and 

Heat Pump Equipment’’ (AHRI 340/ 

360). The 2015 version of AHRI 340/360 

is referenced by ASHRAE Standard 90.1 

for testing water-cooled commercial 

unitary air conditioners (WCUACs). 

DOE is considering whether using the 

same method of test for WSHPs and 

WCUACs is appropriate, given the 

similarities in the design of WSHPs and 

WCUACs. 

Issue 10: DOE seeks comment on 

whether a single test method could be 

used for both WSHPs and WCUACs. 

DOE also seeks comment on any aspects 

of design, installation, and application 

of WSHPs that would make the use of 

ANSI/ASHRAE 37–2009 infeasible for 

WSHPs. 

ISO 13256–1:1998 determines total 

cooling and heating capacities by 

averaging the results obtained using two 

test methods: The liquid enthalpy test 

method for the liquid side tests and the 

indoor air enthalpy test method for the 

air side tests. For non-ducted 

equipment, ISO 13256–1:1998 includes 

an option for conducting the air-side 

tests using the calorimeter room test 

method instead of the air enthalpy test 

method. The test standard also specifies 

that, for a test to be valid, the results 

obtained by the two methods used must 

agree within 5 percent. ANSI/ASHRAE 

37–2009 requires two capacity 

measurements as well (i.e., for units 

with cooling capacity less than 135,000 

Btu/h); the first method of measurement 

(i.e., the primary method) is used as the 

determination of the unit’s capacity, 

while the second measurement (i.e., the 

secondary method) is used to confirm 

rather than to be averaged with the 

primary measurement. 

Issue 11: DOE requests information on 

whether one of the two capacity 

measurements prescribed in ISO 13256– 

1:1998 consistently gives a higher or 

lower result than the other or whether 

one of the methods can be considered 

more accurate for a range of different 

WSHP configurations and models. In 

addition, DOE requests comment on 

whether the ANSI/ASHRAE 37–2009 

approach for determination of rated 

capacity (i.e., using the primary 

method’s measurement as the rated 

capacity rather than averaging the two 

capacity measurements) would result in 

more representative ratings than the ISO 

13256–1:1998 approach. 

3. Accounting for Compressor Heat 

When Testing Split Systems 

DOE has identified split-system 

WSHPs available on the market. For at 

least one of these split-system WSHP, 

the unit containing the compressor is 

intended for either indoor or outdoor 

installation. Where the compressor is 

installed in relation to the conditioned 

space and other system components 

impacts the capacity of the WSHP 

system and the provisions necessary for 

accurately measuring system capacity. 

DOE is considering whether the test 

procedure needs to provide additional 

specifications for split systems in order 

to properly account for compressor heat 

during testing of such WSHPs. 

ISO 13256–1:1998 requires use of two 

methods to measure space-conditioning 

capacity provided by a WSHP. One of 

these methods, the indoor air enthalpy 

method (see normative annex B of ISO 

13256–1:1998), measures capacity 

directly by measuring mass flow and 

enthalpy change of the indoor air.3 The 

second method, the liquid enthalpy test 

method (see normative annex C of ISO 

13256–1:1998), measures heat 

transferred at the liquid coil. This 

measurement is adjusted by adding or 

subtracting the total unit input power 

(including the compressor input power) 

from the measured liquid side capacity 

in the heating or cooling mode tests, 

respectively, using the equations in 

normative annex C of ISO 13256– 

1:1998. This adjustment assumes that all 

compressor heat is absorbed and 

ultimately transferred to the 

conditioned space, increasing heating 

capacity or decreasing cooling capacity. 

This ignores any heat transferred from 

the components (e.g., pump, fan, 

compressor, controls) to their 

surroundings that does not contribute to 

space conditioning. ISO 13256–1:1998 

may not accurately account for 

component losses (in the form of heat) 

for the indoor air enthalpy method 

either. The indoor air enthalpy method 

does not appear to capture any impacts 

of the heat transferred by the 

components if the equipment or the test 

facility are not designed or set up to 

ensure the heat is captured. 

For testing of single-package WSHPs, 

ISO 13256–1:1998 provides specific 

instructions to ensure that all energy 

flows (including heat transfer) are 

accounted for appropriately. 

Specifically, section F7.5 of ISO 13256– 

1:1998 indicates that an enclosure as 

shown in Figure F–3 should be used 

when the compressor is in the indoor 

section and separately ventilated (i.e., 

air that absorbs compressor heat would 

not combine with supply air, which is 

used to measure capacity). Figure F–3 

shows an insulated enclosure 

surrounding the indoor unit that 

ensures that separately-ventilated 

compressor air recombines with supply 

air to be included in capacity 

measurements. Hence, the heat rejected 

from the compressor shell is accounted 

for in the indoor air enthalpy method 

measurement. This test arrangement 

also reflects field performance of the 

WSHP because any compressor heat 

rejected to the indoors will heat the 

space, reducing cooling capacity and 

increasing heating capacity. For WSHPs 

where the compressor is in the indoor 

section but not separately ventilated, the 

air that absorbs compressor heat 

combines with supply air and is 

accounted for in the indoor air enthalpy 

capacity measurements without the 

need for the enclosure in Figure F–3. 

As discussed previously, for splitsystem WSHPs with the compressor in 

the liquid coil section, some of the 

compressor heat may be transferred to 

the ambient air surrounding the 

compressor/coil section and, therefore, 

may not be captured in the spaceconditioning measurement. Under ISO 

13256–1:1998, if a separate compressor/ 

liquid coil section is placed in the 

indoor room (as shown in Figure F–1 of 

ISO 13256–1:1998), the compressor heat 

would not be captured by the indoor air 

enthalpy method, even though it does 

add heat to the indoor room. For a splitsystem WSHP for which the 

compressor/liquid coil section is always 

installed indoors, this issue might be 

remedied by using an arrangement 

similar to Figure F–3 and installing both 

the compressor/liquid coil section and 

the indoor air section (i.e., the section 

that includes the air-to-refrigerant coil) 

in the insulated enclosure, so that any 


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4 ISO 3966:1977, ‘‘Measurement of fluid flow in 

closed conduits—Velocity area method using Pitot 

static tubes;’’ ISO 5167–1:1991, ‘‘Measurement of 

fluid flow by means of pressure differential 

devices—Part 1: Orifice plates, nozzles and Venturi 

tubes inserted in circular cross-section conduits 

running full;’’ and ISO 5221:1984, ‘‘Air Distribution 

and air diffusion—Rules to methods of measuring 

airflow rate in an air handling duct. 

heat associated with compressor cooling 

contributes to warming of the indoor air. 

In contrast, for a split-system WSHP 

for which the compressor/liquid coil 

section is always installed outdoors, the 

air that absorbs compressor heat would 

not directly affect the conditioned 

space. For such a case, the arrangement 

of Figure F–1 of the test standard and 

avoiding adjustments that assume that 

the compressor heat that is absorbed by 

outdoor air is combined with supply air 

would be appropriate. However, for 

such a case, ambient temperature 

conditions surrounding the outdoor 

section in field installations would 

likely be warmer than the indoor 

conditions specified in ISO 13256– 

1:1998 (or cooler than indoor conditions 

when operating in heating mode), which 

might affect system performance in a 

different way. In addition, adding or 

subtracting the entire compressor input 

power to or from the capacity calculated 

based on liquid temperature change 

likely overestimates the impact of 

compressor power input on the indoorside capacity that is calculated using the 

liquid enthalpy-based method. ANSI/ 

ASHRAE 37–2009 also includes a 

capacity measurement method for 

systems with outdoor coils that reject or 

absorb heat from a flowing liquid. 

However, this ‘‘outdoor liquid coil 

method’’ may not be used if the 

compressor is cooled (ventilated) by 

outdoor air (see ANSI/ASHRAE 37– 

2009, table 1 and section 7.6.1.2). This 

restriction applies because 

determination of cooling or heating 

capacity for a system with outdoor-air 

cooling of the compressor requires 

accounting for the compressor heat 

transferred to the outdoor air, the 

measurement of which is not specified 

in the outdoor liquid coil method. In 

contrast, ISO 13256–1:1998 does not 

include any restrictions on use of the 

liquid enthalpy test method—in fact, it 

is required for testing all WSHPs. The 

approach may have to be modified to be 

suitable for split-system WSHPs for 

which the compressor is housed in a 

section located outdoors. 

Issue 12: DOE seeks comment on 

whether there are split-system WSHPs 

on the market for which the unit 

containing the compressor is intended 

only for outdoor installation or only for 

indoor installation (or whether all such 

units can be used for either indoor or 

outdoor installation). DOE also seeks 

information regarding manufacturers’ 

practices for testing split-system WSHPs 

for which the compressor is not housed 

in the section containing the indoor 

refrigerant-to-air coil. First, for units in 

which the compressor section is to be 

installed outdoors, DOE seeks comment 

on whether manufacturers test these 

units using ‘‘outdoor’’ rooms for the 

outdoor section, and, if so, what outdoor 

room conditions are used for the test. 

Second, for testing systems for which 

the compressor section is to be installed 

indoors, DOE seeks comment regarding 

what provisions are adopted during 

testing to properly account for the 

compressor heat. For both situations, 

DOE also seeks comment on whether 

any adjustments are made to the 

capacity equations in order to properly 

account for the compressor heat. 

4. Refrigerant Line Losses 

Split-system WSHPs have refrigerant 

lines that can transfer heat to and from 

their surroundings, which can 

incrementally affect measured capacity. 

ISO 13256–1:1998 indicates, for both 

the indoor air enthalpy test method 

(annex B) and the liquid enthalpy test 

method (annex C), in sections B4.2 and 

C3.3 of the industry standard, that if 

line loss corrections are to be made, 

they shall be included in the capacity 

calculations. DOE believes that these 

procedures may benefit from additional 

specificity, specifically regarding what 

circumstances require line loss 

corrections and what method to use to 

determine an appropriate correction. 

DOE notes that sections 7.3.3.4 and 

7.3.4.4 of ANSI/ASHRAE 37–2009 

prescribe methods for calculating and 

including line losses for both heating 

and cooling capacity calculations in the 

outdoor air enthalpy method, in order to 

obtain an energy balance with results 

from the indoor air enthalpy method; 

these procedures and calculations are 

for air-cooled split systems in which the 

‘‘outdoor unit’’ is generally located 

outdoors. In contrast, the ‘‘outdoor unit’’ 

for a split-system WSHP (i.e., the section 

that contains the liquid/refrigerant heat 

exchanger) could be located either 

outdoors or indoors. Similar to the issue 

of accounting for compressor heat (as 

discussed in section II.C.3), for a splitsystem WSHP for which the 

compressor/liquid coil section is always 

installed indoors, the impacts of 

refrigerant line losses on capacity could 

be captured by using the arrangement of 

Figure F–3 in Annex F of ISO 13256– 

1:1998 and installing the compressor/ 

liquid coil section in the insulated 

enclosure, so that any heat transfer from 

the refrigerant lines to the surrounding 

air contribute to warming or cooling of 

the indoor air. When such a system is 

tested in this fashion, line loss 

calculations may not be needed. 

However, there may be test scenarios for 

which line loss calculations are needed. 

Issue 13: DOE requests comment on 

whether the methods prescribed in 

ANSI/ASHRAE 37–2009 for calculating 

line losses are appropriate for WSHPs. 

In addition, DOE requests comment on 

what modification might be made to the 

procedure in ISO 13256–1:1998 in order 

to address further refrigerant line 

losses—specifically, what test situations 

require their use in the capacity 

calculations, and which do not. DOE 

also requests comment on how 

manufacturers of split-system WSHPs 

currently incorporate line loss 

adjustments into both heating and 

cooling capacity calculations. Further, 

DOE requests comment on whether 

manufacturers of split-system WSHPs 

use test set-ups that capture the effects 

of refrigerant line losses in capacity 

measurements (e.g., installing both the 

indoor coil and liquid coil sections of 

the split-system WSHP within an 

insulated enclosure). 

5. Standardized Heat Capacity for Water 

For the liquid enthalpy test method in 

annex C of ISO 13256–1:1998, the 

variables used to calculate the heating 

and cooling capacity include liquid 

mass flow rate, specific heat capacity of 

the liquid, liquid temperatures entering 

and leaving the unit, and total unit 

power. The test standard requires the 

use of water as the liquid medium when 

testing water-loop heat pumps; 

however, no value or method for 

calculating the specific heat capacity of 

water is provided. Specification of a 

standard value or calculation method 

for the specific heat capacity of water 

may improve the repeatability of the 

WSHP test procedure. 

Issue 14: DOE seeks comment on 

whether a standard value or calculation 

method for the specific heat capacity of 

water should be specified in the WSHP 

test procedure for calculating the 

capacity of WSHPs when using the 

liquid enthalpy method. If a standard 

value should be used, DOE seeks 

comments on what that value should be. 

6. Discharge Coefficients for Airflow 

Measurement 

ISO 13256–1:1998 section D.1 

requires airflow measurements to be 

made in accordance with the provisions 

specified in several different industry 

test standards, ‘‘as appropriate.’’ 4

However, ISO 13256–1:1998 is not 

explicit regarding the circumstances 

under which the different airflow 


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5Reynolds number is a dimensionless number 

that characterizes the flow properties of a fluid. 

Section F8.9 of ISO 13256–1:1998 includes an 

equation for calculating Reynolds number that 

depends on a temperature factor, air velocity, and 

throat diameter. 

measurement approaches included in 

these industry test standards should be 

used. 

Some of the airflow measurement 

approaches specified in ISO 13256– 

1:1998 use a nozzle apparatus. Airflow 

can be derived from measuring the 

change in pressure across a nozzle of 

known geometry. Airflow derivations 

using this approach often include a 

discharge coefficient (i.e., the ratio of 

actual discharge air to theoretical 

discharge air) to account for factors that 

reduce the actual discharge air, such as 

nozzle resistance and airflow 

turbulence. In general, as the nozzle 

throat diameter decreases, nozzle 

resistance increases, thereby reducing 

actual discharge which is characterized 

by a lower discharge coefficient. 

Turbulent airflow (as characterized by 

Reynolds numbers 5) and temperature 

also impact the discharge coefficient. 

Section F8.9 of annex F to ISO 13256– 

1:1998 uses a look-up table that 

specifies the discharge coefficient based 

on the eight different Reynolds numbers 

for nozzles with a throat diameter 

smaller than 12.5 centimeters, and a 

fixed discharge coefficient of 0.99 for 

nozzles with a throat diameter equal to 

or greater than 12.5 centimeters. In 

contrast, ANSI/ASHRAE 37–2009, 

which is a common industry standard 

for measuring airflow for similar 

equipment, includes provisions 

regarding the nozzle airflow measuring 

apparatus that are identical to the 

provisions in ISO 13256–1:1998, except 

for the method used to determine the 

coefficient of discharge. ANSI/ASHRAE 

37–2009 uses a calculation to determine 

the discharge coefficient for nozzles 

with a throat diameter smaller than 25 

centimeters, and a fixed discharge 

coefficient of 0.99 for nozzles with a 

throat diameter equal to or greater than 

25 centimeters. 

ISO 13256–1:1998 section F8.9 uses a 

second lookup table that specifies the 

temperature factor, used to calculate the 

Reynolds number, based on eight 

different air temperatures. For measured 

air temperature and calculated Reynolds 

numbers, ISO 13256–1:1998 does not 

specify what approach should be 

applied to determine the coefficient of 

discharge for air temperatures and 

Reynolds numbers that fall between the 

values specified in the look-up tables. 

Issue 15: DOE requests comment on 

which of the methods specified in ISO 

13256–1:1998 (i.e., ISO 3966:1977, ISO 

5167–1:1991, and ISO 5221:1984) are 

used by manufacturers to measure 

airflow of WSHPs, and whether this 

varies based on WSHP capacity or 

configuration. DOE requests comment 

on whether it should incorporate by 

reference additional industry test 

standards that outline the calculation 

method for airflow, such as ANSI/ 

ASHRAE 37–2009. DOE also requests 

information on how manufacturers 

determine the coefficient of discharge 

for air temperatures and Reynolds 

numbers that fall between the values 

specified in the look-up table in section 

F8.9 of annex F to ISO 13256–1:1998. 

7. Duct Loss Adjustments 

In the calculations for cooling and 

heating capacities for the indoor air 

enthalpy test method of ISO 13256–1: 

1998, the test standard includes a 

footnote in sections B3 and B4 of annex 

B stating that the equations do not 

provide allowances for heat leakage in 

the test equipment (i.e., duct losses). In 

contrast, section 7.3.3.3 of ANSI/ 

ASHRAE 37–2009 addresses duct loss 

adjustments. 

Issue 16: DOE requests confirmation 

whether the duct loss adjustments as 

described in section 7.3.3.3 of ANSI/ 

ASHRAE 37–2009 are used to adjust 

capacity measured using the indoor air 

enthalpy method when testing WSHPs. 

DOE requests comment on whether any 

other type of adjustments are used to 

address the fact that the capacity 

equations of ISO 13256–1:1998 do not 

provide allowances for heat leakage in 

the test equipment. 

8. Water Flow Rate 

Section 4.1.6 of ISO 13256–1:1998 

indicates that WSHPs shall be tested 

using the water flow rate specified by 

the manufacturer, with a few exceptions 

depending on whether the WSHP 

includes an integral pump and whether 

the flow rate is automatically adjusted. 

DOE has reviewed publicly-available 

WSHP product literature and notes that 

manufacturers often list multiple water 

flow rates in performance data. 

In contrast, the test method for 

WCUACs (AHRI 340/360–2007) 

specifies both the water inlet and outlet 

temperatures to be 85 °F and 95 °F, 

respectively, which determines the 

water flow rate setting. ISO 13256– 

1:1998 does not include water outlet 

temperature rating conditions for 

WSHPs, so the water flow rate cannot be 

set by adjusting to match the prescribed 

test conditions. 

Issue 17: DOE requests comment on 

how manufacturers select water flow 

rate when testing WSHPs in cases where 

multiple flow rates are provided in 

product literature. DOE also requests 

comment on what the typical water 

temperature rise is during testing, and 

whether the typical test temperature rise 

is representative of field operation. 

9. Indoor Air Measurements 

Indoor air temperature and humidity 

are key parameters that affect WSHP 

performance, and for this reason, ISO 

13256–1:1998 requires accurate indoor 

air condition measurements. However, 

DOE has tentatively determined that the 

method set forth in ISO 13256–1:1998 

would benefit from additional 

specification as to indoor air 

temperature measurement. For aircooled and evaporatively-cooled 

commercial unitary air conditioners, 

Appendix C of AHRI 340/360–2015 

provides details on entering outdoor air 

temperature measurement, including air 

sampling tree and aspirating 

psychrometer requirements, but AHRI 

340/360–2015 does not state that these 

provisions apply for measurement of 

entering indoor air temperature and 

leaving indoor air temperature. DOE is 

considering whether the requirements 

contained in Appendix C of AHRI 340/ 

360–2015 (excluding the temperature 

uniformity requirements in Table C2) 

would be appropriate for indoor air 

measurements for testing WSHPs. 

Issue 18: DOE requests comment on 

whether the requirements for outdoor 

entering air measurement in Appendix 

C of AHRI Standard 340/360–2015 

(excluding the temperature uniformity 

requirements in Table C2), such as air 

sampling requirements and aspirating 

psychrometer requirements, would be 

appropriate for measurement of indoor 

air entering and leaving temperatures 

for WSHPs. 

10. Refrigerant Charging 

ISO 13256–1:1998 does not provide 

any specific guidance on setting and 

verifying the refrigerant charge of a unit. 

In a test procedure final rule for central 

air conditioners (CACs) and heat pumps 

(HPs) published on June 8, 2016 (‘‘June 

2016 CAC TP final rule’’), DOE 

established a comprehensive approach 

for refrigerant charging that improves 

test reproducibility. 81 FR 36992, 

37030–37031. The approach specifies 

which set of installation instructions to 

use for charging, explains what to do if 

there are no instructions, specifies that 

target values of parameters are the 

centers of the ranges allowed by 

installation instructions, and specifies 

tolerances for the measured values. Id. 

The approach also requires that 

refrigerant line pressure gauges be 

installed for single-package units, unless 

otherwise specified in manufacturer 


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instructions. Id. These methods could 

be considered for the WSHP test 

procedure. 

Issue 19: DOE seeks comment on 

whether it would be appropriate to 

adopt an approach for charging 

requirements for WSHPs similar or 

identical to the approach adopted in the 

June 2016 CAC TP final rule. DOE seeks 

comments regarding which parts of the 

approach should or should not be 

adopted, and for what reasons they 

might or might not be suitable for 

application to WSHPs. DOE is also 

interested in receiving data that 

demonstrate how sensitive the 

performance of a WSHP is relative to 

changes in the various charge indicators 

used for different charging methods, 

specifically the method based on subcooling. 

11. Voltage 

ISO 13256–1:1998 requires that for 

units rated with dual nameplate 

voltages, the test be performed at both 

voltages or at the lower voltage if only 

a single rating is to be published. DOE 

understands that voltage can affect the 

measured efficiency of air conditioners 

and is, therefore, considering adding 

provisions to its test procedure that 

specify at which nameplate voltage to 

conduct the test for dual nameplate 

voltage units. 

Issue 20: DOE requests data and 

information demonstrating the effect of 

voltage on air conditioning equipment 

(including, but not limited to, WSHPs). 

Specifically, DOE seeks comment on 

whether there is a consistent 

relationship between voltage and 

efficiency, and if so, whether testing at 

a lower voltage will typically result in 

a higher or lower tested efficiency. 

Further, DOE requests feedback on 

whether certain voltages within 

common dual nameplate voltage ratings 

(e.g., 208/230 V) are more representative 

of typical field installation. 

D. Other Test Procedure Topics 

In addition to the issues identified 

earlier in this document, DOE welcomes 

comment on any other aspect of the 

existing test procedures for WSHPs not 

already addressed by the specific areas 

identified in this document. DOE 

particularly seeks information that 

would improve the repeatability, 

reproducibility of the test procedures, as 

well as the ability of the test procedure 

to provide results that are representative 

of actual use. DOE also requests 

information that would help DOE create 

a procedure that would limit 

manufacturer test burden through 

streamlining or simplifying testing 

requirements. Comments regarding the 

repeatability and reproducibility are 

also welcome. 

DOE also requests feedback on any 

potential amendments to the existing 

test procedure that could be considered 

to address impacts on manufacturers, 

including small businesses. Regarding 

the DOE test method, DOE seeks 

comment on the degree to which the 

DOE test procedure should consider and 

be harmonized with the most recent 

relevant industry standards for WSHPs, 

and whether there are any changes to 

the DOE test method that would provide 

additional benefits to the public. DOE 

also requests comment on the benefits 

and burdens of adopting any industry/ 

voluntary consensus-based or other 

appropriate test procedure, without 

modification. As discussed, the current 

DOE test procedure relies on ISO 

13256–1:1998, with some additional 

provisions specified for equipment setup. 10 CFR 431.96(e). 

Additionally, DOE requests comment 

on whether the existing test procedures 

limit a manufacturer’s ability to provide 

additional features to consumers of 

WSHPs. DOE particularly seeks 

information on how the test procedures 

could be amended to reduce the cost of 

new or additional features and make it 

more likely that such features are 

included on WSHPs. 

III. Submission of Comments 

DOE invites all interested parties to 

submit in writing by July 23, 2018, 

comments and information on matters 

addressed in this notice and on other 

matters relevant to DOE’s consideration 

of amended test procedures for WSHPs. 

These comments and information will 

aid in the development of a test 

procedure NOPR for WSHPs if DOE 

determines that amended test 

procedures may be appropriate for this 

equipment. 

Submitting comments via http://

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However, your contact information 

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exempt by law from public disclosure 

should submit via email, postal mail, or 

hand delivery two well-marked copies: 

One copy of the document marked 

confidential including all the 

information believed to be confidential, 

and one copy of the document marked 

‘‘non-confidential’’ with the information 

believed to be confidential deleted. 

Submit these documents via email or on 

a CD, if feasible. DOE will make its own 

determination about the confidential 

status of the information and treat it 

according to its determination. 

Factors of interest to DOE when 

evaluating requests to treat submitted 

information as confidential include (1) a 

description of the items, (2) whether 

and why such items are customarily 

treated as confidential within the 

industry, (3) whether the information is 

generally known by or available from 

other sources, (4) whether the 

information has previously been made 

available to others without obligation 

concerning its confidentiality, (5) an 

explanation of the competitive injury to 

the submitting person which would 

result from public disclosure, (6) when 

such information might lose its 

confidential character due to the 

passage of time, and (7) why disclosure 

of the information would be contrary to 

the public interest. 

It is DOE’s policy that all comments 

may be included in the public docket, 

without change and as received, 

including any personal information 

provided in the comments (except 

information deemed to be exempt from 

public disclosure). 

DOE considers public participation to 

be a very important part of the process 

for developing test procedures and 

energy conservation standards. DOE 

actively encourages the participation 

and interaction of the public during the 

comment period in each stage of a 

rulemaking process. Interactions with 

and between members of the public 

provide a balanced discussion of the 

issues and assist DOE in a rulemaking 

process. Anyone who wishes to be 

added to the DOE mailing list to receive 

future notices and information about 

this proceeding should contact 

Appliance and Equipment Standards 

Program staff at (202) 287– 

1445 or via email at 

ApplianceStandardsQuestions@

ee.doe.gov. 

Signed in Washington, DC, on June 18, 

2018. 

Kathleen B. Hogan, 

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy 

Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable 

Energy. 

[FR Doc. 2018–13430 Filed 6–21–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION 

11 CFR Parts 100 and 110 

[Notice 2018–12] 

Internet Communication Disclaimers 

and Definition of ‘‘Public 

Communication’’ 

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; 

public hearing. 

SUMMARY: The Federal Election 

Commission is adding a second day to 

the already-announced public hearing 

on the proposed rules for disclaimers on 

public communications on the internet. 

DATES: The public hearing will be held 

on June 27–28, 2018, and will begin at 

9:30 a.m. on June 27, continuing the 

next day. 

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held in 

the Commission’s 12th floor hearing 

room at 1050 First St. NE, Washington, 

DC. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. 

Neven F. Stipanovic, Acting Assistant 

General Counsel, or Ms. Jessica 

Selinkoff, Attorney, (202) 694–1650 or 

(800) 424–9530. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 

26, 2018, the Commission published a 

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

(‘‘NPRM’’) proposing to revise its 

regulations at 11 CFR 100.26 and 110.11 

regarding disclaimers on 

communications placed for a fee on the 

internet that contain express advocacy, 

solicit contributions, or are made by 

political committees. Internet 

Communication Disclaimers and 

Definition of ‘‘Public Communication,’’ 

83 FR 12864 (Mar. 26, 2018). In the 

NPRM, the Commission announced that 

it would hold a hearing on June 27, 

2018, and that anyone wishing to testify 

at the hearing must file timely written 

comments including a request to testify. 

Id. The deadline for comments was May 

25, 2018, and the Commission received 

more timely-filed requests to testify than 

can be accommodated in a one-day 

hearing. 

Accordingly, the Commission is 

extending the hearing to a second day: 

June 28, 2018. Witnesses will be limited 

to those persons who included a request 

to testify in their timely comments on 

the NPRM. 

Individuals who plan to attend and 

require special assistance, such as sign 

language interpretation or other 

reasonable accommodations, should 

contact Dayna Brown, Commission 

Secretary, at (202) 694–1040 at least 72 

hours prior to the date of attendance. 

Individuals who cannot attend in 

person may view the hearing via 

webcast; on the hearing day, visit 

www.fec.gov for more information. The 

Commission will make transcripts of the 

hearing available on its website after the 

hearing. 

On behalf of the Commission, 

Dated: June 18, 2018. 

Caroline C. Hunter, 

Chair, Federal Election Commission. 

[FR Doc. 2018–13390 Filed 6–21–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6715–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0549; Product 

Identifier 2018–NM–014–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault 

Aviation 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE– 

FALCON 200 airplanes. This proposed 

AD was prompted by a determination 

that more restrictive maintenance 

requirements and airworthiness 

limitations are necessary. This proposed 

AD would require revising the 

maintenance or inspection program, as 

applicable, to incorporate new or more 

restrictive maintenance requirements 

and airworthiness limitations. We are 

proposing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by August 6, 2018. 


daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS