# Clothes Washer Test

Procedure

Rulemaking (s) Overview

PEAL 11/15/95



## Normal Cycle Temperature Selection "lockout"

• Clothes washer prevents use of a temperature selection in the normal cycle that is available in another cycle (i.e. heavy duty, delicate etc.). • Energy consumption is only calculated in the normal cycle, so energy representation is understated. • Main issue involves proration percentages between cycles for energy calculations. 

### • Normal Cycle Temperature Selection

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### Lockout

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### R u 

### lemaking

- Published May 25, 1995 

### DOE Proposed Rule "Interim Test Procedure " - Published March 23, 1995 

### • AHAM Recommended Test Procedure "Future Test Procedure" - Submitted as comment to DOE, July 5, 1995



## Normal Cycle Temperature Selection "lockout"

• Department's Reproposal of May 95 reduced credit, from 75% to 20%, subjectively. • Whirlpool submitted public data and maintained 75% credit position with ultimate low of 40%. • DOE reviewed confidential data and has gotten Whirlpool to agree to 32%.

1 Credit is obtained by using the appropriate percentage for the normal cycle when energy is not bang used (i.e. warm rinse is actually a cold rinse)

## DOE Proposed Rule

"Interim Test Procedure"

• Proposed rule will not effect energy consumption of any existing model which must meet a performance standard. • Test procedure improved to add provisons for testing innovative technologies. • Revises certification report requirements to ensure Energy Factors are provided for Dishwashers, Clothes Washers and Clothes Dryers.



## AHAM Recommended Future Test P rocedure "For 1999 Standards"

• DOE.interfaced with AHAM task force leader for all of 1994. • DOE attended and provided extensive input at industry workshop in Feb. 95. • Provided follow-up comment and got industry to agree on revised Modified Energy Factor. 

## DOE Proposed Rule "Interim Test Procedure"

• Water-heating clothes washers • Remaining Moisture Content (RMC) • Automatic Fill Control 

### • Modified. Energy Factor • Reduction of yearly cycles (416 to 392) • Clarification for similarly labeled temperature selections (auto-temp) • General revisions (i.e. tolerances, typos, electrical supply etc.)



## AHAM Recommended Future Test Procedure "For 1999 Standards"
• Revises test procedure to reflect consumer usage habits. • Results in approximatley 25-30% energy reduction. • Changes approach for testing multiple temperature selections to two (hottest & coldest) and calculation for intermediate if "uniformly distributed".

## AHAM Recommended Future

Test Procedure "For 1999 Standards"
• Develops test load table dependent upon clothes washer capacity, including maximum, minimum and average load size (current procedure does not use a test load for top-loaders). • Provides Load Utilization Factor for automatic fill control washers (i.e. 74% of consumers use average load size). • Provides field testing requirements for "'fuzzy logic" machines which vary wash characteristics based on soil condition.



## Issues Discussed in Reopen of Comment Period NOPR

• Annual Energy Consumption (cycles/yr) • Capacity Measurement - Top-loading methodology and potential horizontal-axis credit. • Electrical Energy Supply - Disconnecting of console lights. • Remaining Moisture. Content - Dryer Utilization Factor, Effect of RMC with change in load size, Multiple RMC levels within Energy Test Cycle (i.e. spin speed, spin duration) 

## Rulemaking Implementation Strategy

• Issue Reopen of Comment Period Notice to request comment on the AHAM procedure with discussion of controversial issues. • Issue one final rule for all three issues (i.e. Lockout, Interim and Future). • Final rule will issue two appendices "J" and "J1." • Appendix "J" will become effective immediatley upon issuance (i.e. March 95 with 180 day reporting allowance window) and "J1" becoming effective with the next round of standards (i.e. 2000)



## Issues Discussed cont.

• Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach • Temperature Use Factors - linear regression with and without future projection, rinse TUFS • Uniformly Distributed Temperature Selections • Water Consumption Factor - (cubic feet/gallon /cycle or gallon /cycle/cubic feet) • Water heating clothes washers - Ambient conditions, AHAM concern (possible line loss) and energy for gas water heating labeling • Reporting Requirements