1

This is a draft document and does not represent a definitive view of the agency on the questions addressed.

This and other guidance documents are accessible on the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy web site at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/guidance/default.aspx?pid=2&spid=1

. The following is a draft U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) guidance document regarding test procedures for residentia l clothes washers, clothes dryers, and dishwashers. This draft guidance document represents the Department’s interpretation of the existing regulations and is exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. (5 U.S.C. 55 3(b)(A)) Nevertheless, the Department is accepting comments and suggestions from the public until January 1, 2015

. Comments and suggestions should be provided in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text file format by sending an email to OffModeGuidance2014GUID0056@ee.doe.gov

. Include docket number http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE

- 2014

- BT

- GUI D

- 0056 in your correspondence. At the end of the comment period, this draft guidance document may be adopted, revised or withdrawn.

Guidance Type : Test Procedures Category : Residential Products Product : Clothes Washers, Clothes Dryers, and Dishwashers Gu idance Version : DRAFT Issued: December 2, 2014 Comment Period Ends: January 1, 2015

Q: For a clothes washer, clothes dryer or dishwasher with a n electronic, or “soft, ” on/off button

or switch that does not physically break the connection to the mains power supply , is the appliance considered to be in “off mode” when the button or switch is indicated as being in the “off” position?



### A: No, the appliance would instead be considered to be in “standby mode” as defined in appendices C1, D1, D2 and J 2 of Subpart B to 10 CFR Part 430. Standby mode is defined as a mode in which the product is connected to a mains power source and offers one or more of the following user

- oriented or protective functions which may persist for an indefinite period of time: (a) To facilitate the activation of other modes (including activation or deactivation of active mode) by remote switch (including remote control), internal sensor, or timer; (b) continuous functions, including information or status displays (including cloc ks) or sensor

- based functions. A timer is a continuous clock function (which may or may not be associated with a display) that provides regular
, scheduled tasks ( e.g., switching) and that operates on a continuous basis.

DOE considers the internal control panel component that detects the press of the electronic power button to be an internal sensor that facilitates the activation or deactivation of other modes (including active mode); therefore, the product would be in standby mode when the electronic butto n or switch is indicated as being in the “off” position

. Because of its capability to2



### detect the press of the electronic power button, t his internal sensor differs from a hard on/off switch , which does not provide any such sensing capabilities but may include an indicator to show that the product is in off mode

.

“ Off mode ” as defined in appendices C1, D1, D2 and J 2 of Subpart B to 10 CFR Part 430 would not be applicable to this product , unless it also has a “hard” on/off switch or dial that physicall y breaks the connection to the mains power supply and does not provide any standby mode or active mode features when that on/off switch is in the “off” position

.