57FR17903

Federal Register / Vol. 57, No. 82 / Tuesday, April 28, 1992 / Notices

Office of Conservation and

Renewable Energy

I Casa No. F-0491

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

Rheem Manufacturing Company

AGENCY: Office of Conservation and

Renewable Energy, Department of

Energy.

SUMMARY : Today's notice publishes a

letter granting an Interim Waiver to

Rheem Manufacturing Company

(Rheem) from the existing Department of

Energy (DOE) test procedure for

furnaces regarding blower time delay for

the company's GVG line of gas furnaces.

Today's notice also publishes a

"Petition for Waiver" from Rheem.

Rheem's Petition for Waiver requests

DOE to grant relief from the DOE

furnace test procedure relating to the

blower time delay specification. Rheem

seeks to test using a blower delay time

of 30 seconds for its GVG line of gas

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 May 28,

1992.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and

statements shall be sent to: Department

of Energy, Office of Conservation and

Renewable Energy, Case No. F-049, Mail

Stop CE-90, Room 6B-025, Forrestal

Building, 1000 Independence Avenue,

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

0561.

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

to the Energy Policy and Conservation

Act (SPCA), 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, 1930, 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,

prescribed test procedures or when the

prescribed test procedures may evaluate

the basic model in a manner so

unrepresentative of its true energy

consumption as to provide materially

inaccurate comparative data. Waivers

generally remain in effect until final test

procedure amendments become

effective, resolving the problem that is

the subject of the waiver.

The Interim Waiver provisions added

by the 1986 amendment allow the

Assistant Secretary to grant an Interim

Waiver when it is determined that the

applicant will experience economic

hardship if the Application for Interim

Waiver is denied, if it appears likely

that the Petition for Waiver will be

granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary

determines that it would be desirable for

public policy reasons to grant immediate

relief pending a determination on the

Petition for Waiver. An Interim Waiver

remains in effect for a period of 180 days

or until DOE issues its determination on

the Petition for Waiver, whichever is

sooner, and may be extended for an

additional 180 days, if necessary.

On February 12,1992, Rheem filed an

Application for Interim Waiver

regarding blower time delay. Rheem's

Application seeks an Interim Waiver

from the DOE test provisions that

require a 1.5-minute time delay between

17903

the ignition of the burner and starting of

the circulating air blower. Instead,

Rheem requests the allowance to test

using a 30-second blower time delay

when testing its GVG line of gas

furnaces. Rheem states that the 30-

second delay is indicative of how these

furnaces actually operate. Such a delay

results in an energy savings of

approximately 2.0 percent. Since current

DOE test procedures do not address this

variable blower time delay. Rheem asks

that the Interim Waiver be granted.

Previous waivers for this type of

timed blower delay control have been

granted by DOE to Coleman Company,

50 FR 2710, January 18, 1985: Ma;:c Chef

Company, 50 FR 41553, October 11, 1985;

Rheem Manufacturing Company. 53 FR

48574, December 1, 1988, 55 FR 3253,

January 31, 1990, and 56 FR 2920,

January 25, 1991; Trane Company. 54 FR

19226, May 4, 1989, and 56 FR 6021,

February 14, 1991; Lennox Industries, 55

FR 50224, December 5,1990; DMO

Industries, 56 FR 4622, February 5, 1991;

Heil-Quaker Corporation. 56 FR 6019.

February 14. 1991; Carrier Corporation.

56 FR 6018, February 14, 1991: Inter-City

Products Corporation, 55 FR 51487,

December 14, 1991 , and 56 FR 63045,

December 6. 1991; Amana Refrigeration

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

63940. December 6. 1991; Snyder General

Corporation, 56 FR 45960, September 9,

1991; Goodman Manufacturing

Corporation, 56 FR 51713, October 15,

1991; Armstrong Air Conditioning, Inc..

57 FR 899, January 9. 1992; Thermo

Products, Inc., 57 FR 903, January 9. 19192;

and the Ducane Company, 56 FR 63943.

December 6, 1991 . 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 irterecl

to have similar products tested and

rated for energy consumption on a

comparable basis.

Therefore, based on the above, DUE is

granting Rheem an Interim Waiver for

its GVG line of gas furnaces. Pursuart to

paragraph (e) of section 430.27 bf the

Code of Federal Regulations Part 430.

the following letter granting the

Application for Interim Waiver to

Rheem was issued.

Pursuant to paragraph (b) of 10 CFR

part 430.27, DOE is hereby publishing

the "Petition for Waiver" in its entirety.

The petition contains no confidential

information. DOE solicits comments,

data, and information respecting the

petition.

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 80
57FRI7903.

177904 Federal Register I Vol. 57, No. 82 / Tuesday. April 28. 1992 / Notices

Issued in Washington, DC, April 17 , 1992. are achieved following the cool-down

1. Michael Davis. test and the required measurements

Assistart Secretory Conservation and performed, turn on the furnace and

Renewable Energy. measure the flue gas temperature. using

Mi.:Daniel 1. Candini. the thermocouple. grid described above,

I'll e-President. Product Development and at 0.5 and 2.5 minutes after the main

Research Engineering. Rheem burner(s) comes on. After the burner

bfanefocturing Company. P.O. Box 17011 start-up,:delay the blower start-up by 1.5

Fort Smith. AR 72917-:010. minutes (t-). unless: (1) the furnace

Dear Mr. Canclini : This is in response to employs a single motor to drive the

your February 12.-1992. Application for power burner and the indoor air

Interim Waiver and Petition for Waiver from circulation blower

, In which case the the Department of.Energy (DOE) test burner and blower shall be started procedure for furnaces regardirg blower time

delay for Rheem Manufacturing Company together, or (2) the furnace is designed to

lirheem) GVC IinE of gas furnaces. operate using an-unvarying delay time

Pre:•ious waivers for this type of timed that is other than 1.5 minutes. in which

blower delay contrul have been .granted by case the fan control shall be permitted

DOE to Coleman Company. 50 FR 2710. to start the blower; or (3) the delay time

January 18.1965: Magic Chef Comp any. 5o FR results in the activation of a temperature

411553. October 11.19ti5: Rheem safety device which shuts off the burner.

Manufacturing Company. 53FR 48574.

in 'which case the fan control shall be .December 1.1988.55 FR.3253. January 31.

1490. and 56 FR 2920. January 25.,1991: Trane permitted to start the blower. In the

Company. 54'FR 19.^.26. ktay 4. 1989. and 56 latter case, if the fan control is

Ftt 60;1. February 14.1991: Lennox adjustable, set it to start the blower at

In;?ustries, 55 FR 502 4. December 5.1990 the highest temperature. If the fan

L;MO industries: 55 FR 4622. February 5.1991;. control is permitted to start the blower.

lie°t-Quaker Corporation. 56 FR 6019, measure time delay, (t-). using a stop

Fh•hruary 14.1991: Ca-r'••r Cai-r,oratian. 56 FR watch. Record the measured

&318. February 14. 19911 ; Inter-City Products

Corporation. 55 FR 5i487. December 14.1991, temperatures. During the heat-up test for

i, -d 56 FR-63945. December 6.1991 : Amana ' oil-fueled furnaces, maintain the draft in

Rerrigeratiun Inc:; 56 }`R279o8 June 18. 1991. the flue pipe within +0.01 inch of water

and 56 &3940. December 6. 1991: Snyder column of the manufacturer's

General Corporation. Se FR 45900. September recommended on-period draft,

0 .'199.1: Goodman Manufacturng This Interim Wavier is based upon the

Corporation. 56 FR 51713 , Qctober 15. 1991 : presumed validity. of statements and all

Armstrong-AirConditioning. Inc.. 57 FR 899. allegations'submittedby the company. This

January:;9.1992: Thermo Products. Inc., 57 FR Interim Waiver may be revoked or modified

903. January 9. 1992.• end The Dur-ane at any time upon a determination that the

Company. S.I R 63943. December 6. 1991. factual.basis underlying the application is.

Riheen:'s Application for InterimWaiver incorrect. .

dues not provide sufficient information lo The Interim Waiver shall remain in_effect

evaluate what.'if any. economic impact or for a period of 180 days or until DOE acts on

cohipetitive disadvantage. Rhee.m will likely the Petition for Waiver, whichever is sooner.

experience absent a favorable determination and may be extended for an additional 180-

cr. i!s application. However :in those day period: if necessary.

instances where the likely success of'the Sincerely.

I'eti;ion. for Waiver has been demonstrated.

I Michael Davis. P.E.

based ut on-DOE having granted a waiver for

a

Assstant.Secretar,.: Conservation and similarproduct design. it is in the Public

Interest to have aimiler;.products'tested and Rener,•obleEnergy.

rated for'energy consumption on a RbcemManufacturing .Company

comps able basis.

The afore, F.heern a Application for an

Interim-.Waiver from the-DOE test-procedure

Air Ci sditincing Division

February 12.1.092

for its:GVG line of gas furnaces regarding Mr. Cyrus Nasser.

blower time delay is granted. Assistant Secretary: Conservation and

Rheetn'shall be permitted to test its GVG Reviewable Enercy. United Stews

line of gas furnaces on the basis of the test Department ofEnerpy; 1000

prucedures-specified in 10 CFR Part 430. . independence Avenue SW.. Washington.

SuhpartBAppendix N. with the modification DC-20585 set forth below. Dear Mr._Iyasser. This.is a petition for.

(ii Section.3.l in Appendix N is deleted and waiver and-applicetion .for interim waiver

replaced : w;th'tedureiuwmg paragraph:

submitted pursuant to Title 10 CFR:Part

3.0 Test procedu^e Testing and 430.27 Waiver is requested from 'the !-rn+e e

measurements she l bet as specified.in section test procedure as pres

...ritled in Appendix :\

9 in ANSI/ASHRAE 103-62 with the to Subpart 11. of Part-430. The test procedure

exception. of sections 9.2.2.9.3.1, and 9.

3.2. re uiies a 1.5 minute delay between burner

and the inclusion of the following additional and blower start-up: Rheem is.n -questing

procedures: authorization to use a 30-second delay

(ii) Add a new paragraph 3.10 uI instead of 1.5 minutes. for our Series I-IGVC.

Appendix N as follows: horizontal residential gas- fired furnaces

3.10 Gas- and Oil-Fueled Central Rheem will be manufacturing these

Furnaces. After equilibrium conditions furnaces with on. electronic dews a the'

controls the blower operation on a timing

sequence as opposed to temperature. -

Improved energy efficiency is achieved by

reducing on cycle losses. 'Under the Appeodn

N.procedures. the stack temperature is

allowed to climb at g faster rate than it

Mouid with a:30 second blower on time

allowing energy to be lost out the vent

system. This waste of energy would not occur

in actual operation. If this petition is granted.

the true blower on-time delay would be used

in thecalcula iuns.

The current test procedures dr not g:%e

Rheem credit fur the energy sa'. inns w `tech

avareges approximately 2%. This

Improvement is an-average reduction of 2f',

of the nornial on cycie energy losses Rhe-!-n

is of the opinion that a Z0' reduction is a

worthwhile energy savings.

Rheem has been granted a wait, er,.

permitting the 30 second blower . on time to be

used in the efficiency calculations te;: our

(-)GFai and.(-.-CKA series rundcn-.re furnaces

and; or (-)CDE and (-)CLE series fc-nee,-s

Several other manufar!ure=s of ;:s f•rn:r:rs

have a!so.been, grar ted a waiver to permit

-calculations -based on- timed blower

operation. Also, proposed ASHRAE Standard

103-1982R 01 9/25/87 paragraph 9.5.1.2.2

spe:.dically addresses the use of t:c,e.l

blower operation;

Confidential comparatne test da'a is

ava:table to you upon your request.

confirming the above energy saving...

Manufacturers that domestica !!t r..dr!.rt

similar prod ucts are being sent a copy of :h.d

petition for waiver and petition for interim

waiver.

Sincerely.

Daniel. J. Canclini.

1'ice•President. Product De ve,'o.zome;:t and

Resecrch Engineering.

IFR Doc. 92-9887 Filed 4-27-92. 8.45 amj

BILLING CODE ass-et-sr

CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 80