8606 Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 23, 1994 / Notices

Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy

[Case No. F-067)

Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products: Granting of the

Application for Interim Waiver and

Publishing of the Petition for Waiver of

DOE Furnace Test Procedures From

Goodman' Manufacturing Company

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: Today's notice publishes a

letter granting an Interim Waiver to

Goodman Manufacturing Company

(Goodman) from the existing

Department of Energy (DOE) test

procedure regarding blower time delay

for the company's GMN series central

furnaces.

Today's notice also publishes a

"Petition for Waiver" from Goodman:

Goodman's Petition for Waiver requests

DOE to grant relief from the DOE

furnace test procedure relating to the

blower time delay specification.

Goodman seeks to test using a blower

delay time of 40 seconds for its GMN

series central furnaces instead of the

specified 1.5-minute delay between ontime and blower on-time. The

Department is soliciting comments,

data, and information respecting the

Petition for Waiver.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, temporarily, test procedures for a

and information not later than March particular basic model when a petitioner

25,1994: shows that the basic model contains one

ADDRESSES: Written comments and or more design characteristics which

statements shall be sent to: Department prevent testing according to the

of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency prescribed test procedures, or when the

and Renewable Energy, Case No. F-067, prescribed test procedures may evaluate

Mail Stop EE-43, room 5E-066, the basic model in a manner so

Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence unrepresentative of its true energy

Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, consumption as to provide materially

(202) 586-7140. inaccurate comparative data. Waivers

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: generally remain in effect until final test

Cyrus H. Nasseri, U.S. Department of procedure amendments become

Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency effective, resolving the problem that is

Washington DC 20585, ( 202) 586-

Tne Interun Waiver provisions added

by the 1986 amendment allow the

Secretary to grant. an Interim Waiver

EE-431, Forrestal Building, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW.,

and Renewable Energy, Mail Station the subject of the waiver.

when it is determined that-the applicant 7140.

Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department will experience economic hardship if

of Energy, Office of General Counsel, the Application for Interim Waiver is

Mail Station GC-72, Forrestal denied, if it appears likely that the

Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, Petition for Waiver will be granted, and/

SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) or the Assistant Secretary determines

586-9507. that it would be desirable for public

policy reasons to grant immediate relief

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION : The pending a determination on the Petition

Energy Conservation Program for for Waiver. An Interim Waiver remains

Consumer Products (other than in effect for a period of 180 days or until

automobiles) was established pursuant DOE issues its determination on the

to the Energy Policy and Conservation Petition for Waiver, whichever is

Act (EPCA), Public Law 94-163, 89 Stat. sooner, and may be extended for an

917, as amended by the National Energy. additional 180 days, if necessary.

Conservation Policy Act (NACPA), On November 29.1993. Goodman

Public Law 95-619, 92 Stat. 3266, the filed an Application for Interim Waiver

National Appliance Energy. regarding blower time delay. Goodman's

Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA), Application seeks an interim Waiver

Public Law 100-12, the National from the DOE test provisions that

Appliance Energy Conservation . require a 1.5-minute time delay between

Amendments of 1988 (NAECA 1988), the ignition of the burner and starting of

Public Law 100-357, and the Energy the circulating air blower. Instead,

Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), Public Law Goodman requests the allowance to.test

102-486. 106 Stat. 2776, which requires using a 40-second blower time delay

DOE to prescribe standardized test when testing its GMN series central

procedures to measure the energy furnaces. Goodman states that the 40-

consumption of certain consumer second delay is indicative of how these

products, including furnaces. The intent furnaces actually operate. Such a-delay

of the test procedures is to provide a results in an energy savings of 0.6 to 1.0

comparable measure of energy , percent. Since current DOE test

consumption that will assist consumers procedures do not address this variable

in making purchasing decisions. These blower time delay, Goodman asks that

test procedures appear at 10 CFR part , the Interim Waiver be granted.

430, Subpart B. The Department has published a

The Department amended the notice of Proposed Rulemaking on

prescribed test procedures by adding 10 August 23, 1993, (58 FR 44583) to

CFR 430.27 on September 26, 1980, amend the furnace test procedure,

creating the waiver process. 45 FR which addresses the above issue.

64108. Thereafter, DOE further amended Previous waivers for this type of time

the appliance test procedure waiver blower delay control have been granted

process to allow the Assistant Secretary by DOE to Coleman Company, 50 FR

for Energy Efficiency and Renewable 2710, January 18,1985; Magic Chef

Energy (Assistant Secretary) to grant an Company, 50 FR 41553, October 11,

Interim Waiver from test procedure 1985; Rheem Manufacturing Company,

requirements to manufacturers that have 53 FR 48574, December 1. 1988, 56 FR

petitioned DOE for a waiver of such 2920, January 25, 1991, 57 FR 10166,

'prescribed test procedures. 51 FR 42823, March 24,1992, and 57 FR 34560,

November 26. 1986. August 5,1992; Trane Company, 54 FR

The waiver process allows the 19226, May 4, 1989, 56 FR 6021,

Assistant Secretary to waive, February 14, 1991, 57 FR 10167, March

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 101
Federal Register t tool; 59; No. 36 I' Wednesday, February 2'3, 1994 1 Notices

24, 1992, and 57 FrR 22222, May 27,

1992; Lennox Industries„ 55 FR 50224,

December 5, 1990, and 57 FR 49'700,

November 3,1992 ; Inter-City Products

Corporation, 55 FR 51487, December 14,

1990, and 56 FR 63945, December 6,

1991 ; DMO Industries, 56 FR 4622,

February 5, 1991 ; I-Ibel-Quaker

Corporation, 56 FR 6019, February 14,

1991 ; Carrier Corporation, 56 FR 6018,

February 14, 1991 , and 57 FR 38830,

August 27, 1992; Amana Refrigeration

Inc., 56 FR 27958 , June 18,1991, 56 FR

63940, December 6, 1991, and 57 FR

23392, Juno 3, 1992; Snyder General

Corporation, 56 FR 54960, September 9,

1991; Goodman Manufacturing

Corporation, 56, FR 51713, October 15,

1991, and 57 FR 27970 , June 23, 1992;

The Ducane Company Inc., 56 FR

63943, December 6,1991 , and 57 FR

10163 , March 24 , 1992; Armstrong Air

Conditioning, Inc., 57 FR 899, January 9,

1992, 57 FR 10160, March 24,1992, 57

FR 10161 , March Z4, 1992, 57 FR 39193,

August 28 , 1992, and 57 FR 54230,

November 17,199r Thermo Products,

Inc., 57 FR 903, January 9,1992;

Consolidated Industries Corporation, 57

FR Z2220, May 27,1992; Evcon

Industries, Inc., 57 FR 47847, October

20, 1992; and Bard Manufacturing

Company, 57 FR 53733, November 12,

1992.Thus, it appears likely that the

Petition for Waiver will be granted for

blower time delay.

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.

Issued in Washington ,, DC, February i0;

1994.

Christian A. Ervin,

Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy.

February 14, 1994.

Mr. Peter H. Alexander,

Vice President of Engineering, Goodman

Manufacturing Company, 150T Seamist,

Houston, Texas 77808:

Dear Mr. Alexander. This is in response to

your November 29,1993, Application for

Interim Waiverand Petition for Waiver from

the Department of Energy (DOE) test

prace dureregardiag blower time. delay for

Goodman Manufacturing Company .

(Goodman) GMN series central furnaces.

Previous waivers for this type of timed

blower delay control have been granted by

DOE to Coleman Company, 50 FR 2710,

January 18, 1985; Magic Chef Company, 50

FR 41553, October 11 , 1985; Rheem

Manufacturing Company; 53 FR 48574,

December 1, 1988, 56 FR 2920, January 25,

1991 , 57 FR 10166 , March 24 , 1992, and-57

FR 34560, August 5, 1992; Trane Company,

54 FR 19226, May 4, 1989', 56 FR 6021,

February 14, 1991 , 57 FR 10167 , March 24,

1992, and 57 FR 22222, May 27, 1992;

Lennox Industries, 55 FR 50224„ December 5,

1990, and 57 FR 49700, November 3, 1992;

Inter-City Products Corporation, 55 FR

51487, December14, 1990, and 56 FR63945,

December 6,1991 ; DMO Industries, 56 FR

4622, February 5, 1991; 13ei14Quaker

Corporation, 56 FR 6019, February 14,1991;

Carrier Corporation, 56 FR 6018 , February 14,

1991, and 57 FR 38830, August 27, 1992;

Amami Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR 27958, June

18, 1991 , 56 FR 63940, December 6, 1991.

and 57 FR 23392, June 3, 1992; Snyder

General Corporation, 56 FR 54960,

September 9, 1991 ; Goodman Manufacturing

Corporation, 56 FR 51713 , October 15, 1991,

and 57 FR 27970, June 23,.i,992; The Ducane

Company Inc., 58 FR 63943, December 6,

1991, and 57 FR 10163, March 24, 1992;

Armstrong Air Conditioning, Inc., 57 FR 81",

January 9, 1992, 57 FR 10160, March 24,

1992, 57 FR 10161, March 24, 1992„ 57 FR

39193 A ust 28 1992 and 57 FR 54230

07

430, Subpart B, Appendix N with the

modification set forth., belbw-

(i), Section 3 .0 in Appendix Nis deleted

and replaced with the following paragraph:

3.0;Test Procedure. Testing and

measurements shall be as specified in

Section, 9 in ANSI/ASiRtAE IM-82 with the

exception of Sections 9:2.2, 9,3,2, aad9.3.2,

and the inclusion of the following additional

procedures; -

(ii) Add a new paragraph. 3. 10 in Appendix

N as follows:

3.20 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 (15 and 2.5 minutes after

the main burner(s) comes on- After the

burner start-up, delay the blower start-np by

1.5 minutes (t-) unless-(1}Thd furnace.

employs a single motor to drive the power

burner and the indooraircirculation. 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 be penruitted to start the

blower, or (3) the delay. time results is 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 ±0.01 inch of water

column of the manufacturer's recommended

led draft.

This Interim Waiver is based upon the

presumed validity of statements and all

allegations submitted by the company. This

Interim Waiver may, be removed 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 maybe extended for an additional 180-

day period, if necessary.

Therefore, based on the above, DOE is November 1.7,1992; Thermo Products, Inc.,

granting, Goodman an Interim Waiver for 57 FR 903, January 9; 1982;.Consohdated

its GMN series central furnaces.

Pursuant to paragraph (e) of Sectioa

430.27 of the Code of Federal

Regulatims part 430; the following

letter granting the. Application for

Interim Waiver to Goodman was issued.

Pursuant to paragraph (h). of 10 CFR

part 430.27, DOE is hereby publishing

the "Petitfoa for Waiver " in its entirety.

The petition contains no confidential

information- The Department solicits

comments,,, data, and information

respecting the petition.

1992: Evcon Industries, Inc., 57 FR 47847,

Industries Corporation, 57 FR 22220, May 27 ,, Sincerely,

October 28 1992; and Bard Manufacturing

Company, 57 FR 53733, November 12,1992.

Thus, it appears likely that the petition, for

Waiver will be granted for blower time delay.

Goodman's Application for Interim Waiver

does not provide sufficient information, to

evaluate what, if any; economic impact or

competitive disad'vantageGoodman will

likely experience absent a favorable

determination on its.application. However, in

those instances where the Waily success of

the Petition for Waiver has bean;

demonstrated„ based upon DOE having

granteda waiver for a.similar produetdesign,

it is In the public interest to have similar

products tested and rated for energy

consumption on a comparable basis.

Goodman shal'i be permitted to test.its

GMN series central furnaces air the. basis of

the test procedures specified in itaCBR Pert

Christine A. Ervin,

Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and

RenewabfeEneigy.

November29,1990.

Assistant Secretary. Conversation and'

Renewable Energy,

United States Departmen# of Energy,

1080 independence Ave;, SW.,

Washington, DC 20585.

Re: Petition for Waiver and Application. for

Interim Waiver.

Gentlemen- This. is a. Petition for Whiver

and Application for interim Waiver

submitted pursuant to Title 10 (;PR 430:22."

Waiver is requested from, the test procedure.

for measuring Furnace Energy Consumption.

as found in Appendix H to Subpart B ofpart

430.

Thecurrent test procedhre-requires a 1.5

minute delay between burner ignition and

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 101
8608 Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 23, 1994 / Notices

the start of the circulating air blower.

Goodman Manufacturing Co., L.P. Is

requesting waiver and authorization to use a

40 second delay instead of the specified 1.5

minutes for the blower to start after main

burner ignition. Goodman Manufacturing

intends to use a fixed timing control on our

GMN series central furnaces to gain

additional energy savings that are achieved

with the use of shorter blower on times.

Test data.for these furnaces with a 40

second delay indicated an increase in AFIIE

of 0.6 to 1.0 percentage points. The use of a

40 second delay reduces the appliance flue

losses and therefore increases the furnace

efficiency. Copies of confidential test data

confirming this energy savings will be

provided to you at your request.

The current test procedure does not give

Goodman Manufacturing credit for energy

savings that can be obtained using fixed

blower timings. The proposed ASRAE 103--

1988 that is under consideration by DOE

address the use of timed blower operation.

Goodman Manufacturing is confident that

this Waiver will be granted, and therefore we

request an Interim Waiver be granted until a

final ruling is made. Goodman, as well as

other manufacturers of domestic furnaces,

have been granted similar waivers.

Manufacturers that domestically market

similar products have been sent a copy of

this Petition for Waiver and Application for

Interim Waiver.

Sincerely,

Goodman Manufacturing Co., L.P.,

Peter H. Alexander,

Vice President of Engineering.

(FR Doc. 94-4022 Filed 2-22-94; 8:45 am]

SILuNG CODE e450-o14K-M

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 101