Proposed Rule2021-21387
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Fans and Blowers
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 1, 2021
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
The U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") is undertaking the preliminary stages of a rulemaking to consider potential test procedures for fans and blowers, including air circulating fan heads. Through this request for information ("RFI"), DOE seeks data and information regarding issues pertinent to whether new test procedures would accurately and fully comply with the requirement that a test procedure measures energy use during a representative average use cycle for the equipment without being unduly burdensome to conduct. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of this document (including topics not raised in this RFI), as well as the submission of data and other relevant information.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 188 (Friday, October 1, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 188 (Friday, October 1, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54412-54416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21387]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 431
[EERE-2021-BT-TP-0021]
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Fans and Blowers
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is undertaking the
preliminary stages of a rulemaking to consider potential test
procedures for fans and blowers, including air circulating fan heads.
Through this request for information (``RFI''), DOE seeks data and
information regarding issues pertinent to whether new test procedures
would accurately and fully comply with the requirement that a test
procedure measures energy use during a representative average use cycle
for the equipment without being unduly burdensome to conduct. DOE
welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the
scope of this document (including topics not raised in this RFI), as
well as the submission of data and other relevant information.
DATES: Written comments and information are requested and will be
accepted on or before November 1, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons
may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2021-BT-TP-0021,
by any of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
2. Email: to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ebad8a8598a987849c8e9998d9dbd9dabfbbdbdbd9daab8e8ec58f848ec58c849d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aee8cfc0ddecc2c1d9cbdcdd9c9e9c9ffafe9e9e9c9feecbcb80cac1cb80c9c1d8">[email protected]</span></a>. Include docket
number EERE-2021-BT-TP-0021 in the subject line of the message.
No telefacsimiles (``faxes'') will be accepted. For detailed
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this
process, see section III of this document.
Although DOE has routinely accepted public comment submissions
through a variety of mechanisms, including the Federal eRulemaking
Portal, email, postal mail, or hand delivery/courier, the Department
has found it necessary to make temporary modifications to the comment
submission process in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. DOE is
currently suspending receipt of public comments via postal mail and
hand delivery/courier. If a commenter finds that this change poses an
undue hardship, please contact Appliance Standards Program staff at
(202) 586-1445 to discuss the need for alternative arrangements. Once
the Covid-19 pandemic health emergency is resolved, DOE anticipates
resuming all of its regular options for public comment submission,
including postal mail and hand delivery/courier.
Docket: The docket for this activity, which includes Federal
Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials,
is available for review at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. All documents in the
docket are listed in the <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> 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: <a href="http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/product.aspx/productid/65">www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/product.aspx/productid/65</a>. The docket web
page contains instructions on how to access all documents, including
public comments, in the docket. See section III for information on how
to submit comments through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Jeremy Dommu, 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) 586-9870. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ddcededf1f4fcf3fef8cee9fcf3f9fceff9eecce8f8eee9f4f2f3eeddf8f8b3f9f2f8b3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="25645555494c444b46407651444b414457415674504056514c4a4b566540400b414a400b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>.
Ms. Amelia Whiting, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2588. Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90f1fdf5fcf9f1bee7f8f9e4f9fef7d0f8e1bef4fff5bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1879757d747179366f70716c71767f587069367c777d367f776e">[email protected]</span></a>.
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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#672617170b0e0609040234130609030615031436120214130e0809142702024903080249000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b5f4c5c5d9dcd4dbd6d0e6c1d4dbd1d4c7d1c6e4c0d0c6c1dcdadbc6f5d0d09bd1dad09bd2dac3">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
A. Authority and Background
B. Rulemaking History
II. Request for Information
A. Scope and Definitions
1. Definition
2. Scope
B. Test Procedure
1. Industry Standards
2. Metric
3. Sampling
III. Submission of Comments
I. Introduction
On August 19, 2021, DOE published a final determination that fans
and blowers are covered equipment for the purpose of the ``Energy
Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment'' under the
Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''),\1\ (42
U.S.C. 6311-6317 as codified). 86 FR 46579. There are currently no DOE
test procedures for fans and blowers, including air circulating fan
heads. The following
[[Page 54413]]
sections discuss DOE's authority to establish test procedures for fans
and blowers, including air circulating fan heads (``ACFHs''), as well
as relevant background information regarding DOE's consideration of
potential test procedures for this equipment.
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\1\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute
as amended through the Energy Act of 2020, Public Law 116-260 (Dec.
27, 2020).
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A. Authority and Background
EPCA authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a number
of consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291-
6317) Title III, Part C \2\ of EPCA, added by Public Law 95-619, Title
IV, section 441(a) (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317, as codified), established the
Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment, which
sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy
efficiency of certain commercial and industrial equipment (hereafter
referred to as ``covered equipment''). The purpose of Part A-1 is to
improve the efficiency of electric motors and pumps and certain other
industrial equipment in order to conserve the energy resources of the
Nation. (42 U.S.C. 6312(a))
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\2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part C was redesignated Part A-1 and hereafter referred to as Part
A-1.
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EPCA specifies a list of equipment that constitutes covered
equipment.\3\ EPCA also provides that ``covered equipment'' includes
any other type of industrial equipment for which the Secretary of
Energy (``Secretary'') determines inclusion is necessary to carry out
the purpose of Part A-1. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(L); 42 U.S.C. 6312(b)) EPCA
specifies the types of equipment that can be classified as industrial
equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6311(2)(B). This equipment includes fans and
blowers. (42 U.S.C. 6311(2)(B)(ii) and (iii)). Industrial equipment
must be of a type that consumes, or is designed to consume, energy in
operation; is distributed in commerce for industrial or commercial use
\4\; and is not a covered product as defined in 42 U.S.C. 6291(a)(2) of
EPCA other than a component of a covered product with respect to which
there is in effect a determination under section 6312(c). (42 U.S.C.
6311(2)(A)).
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\3\ ``Covered equipment'' means one of the following types of
industrial equipment: Electric motors and pumps; small commercial
package air conditioning and heating equipment; large commercial
package air conditioning and heating equipment; very large
commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment;
commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers;
automatic commercial ice makers; walk-in coolers and walk-in
freezers; commercial clothes washers; packaged terminal air-
conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps; warm air furnaces and
packaged boilers; and storage water heaters, instantaneous water
heaters, and unfired hot water storage tanks. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(A)-
(K))
\4\ DOE notes that distribution for residential use does not
preclude coverage as covered equipment so long as the equipment is
of a type that is also distributed in commerce for industrial and
commercial use.
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On August 19, 2021, DOE determined that the inclusion of fans and
blowers as covered equipment was necessary to carry out the purpose of
Part A-1 and classified fans and blowers as covered equipment. 86 FR
46579.
The energy conservation program under EPCA consists essentially of
four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation
standards, and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. Relevant
provisions of EPCA include definitions (42 U.S.C. 6311), test
procedures (42 U.S.C. 6314), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315),
energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6313), 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 Federal 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(a); 42 U.S.C. 6295(s)), 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.\5\ (42 U.S.C. 6316(a);
42 U.S.C. 6295(s))
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\5\ There are currently no energy conservation standards for
fans and blowers.
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Under 42 U.S.C. 6314, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures
DOE must 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 a given type of covered equipment during a
representative average use cycle and requires that test procedures not
be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2))
Before prescribing any final test procedures under this section,
the Secretary must publish proposed test procedures in the Federal
Register, and afford interested persons an opportunity (of not less
than 45 days' duration) to present oral and written data, views, and
arguments on the proposed test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6314(b))
B. Rulemaking History
As noted, on August 19, 2021, DOE published in the Federal Register
a final coverage determination classifying fans and blowers as covered
equipment (``August 2021 Final Coverage Determination''). 86 FR 46579.
DOE established that the term ``blower'' is interchangeable with the
term ``fan''. 86 FR 46579, 46583. DOE also defined a fan or blower as
``a rotary bladed machine used to convert electrical or mechanical
power to air power, with an energy output limited to 25 kilojoule (kJ)/
kilogram (kg) of air. It consists of an impeller, a shaft and bearings
and/or driver to support the impeller, as well as a structure or
housing. A fan or blower may include a transmission, driver, and/or
motor controller.'' 86 FR 46579, 46590; See 10 CFR 431.172. Further,
DOE determined that fans and blowers are industrial equipment as
specified by EPCA and classified fans and blowers as covered
equipment.\6\ The definition of ``industrial equipment'' explicitly
excludes covered products, other than a component of a covered product.
(42 U.S.C. 6311(2)(A)(iii)). Therefore, the definition of ``fan and
blower'' does not apply to ceiling fans or furnace fans, both covered
products defined at 10 CFR 430.2. 86 FR 46579, 46584-46585.
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\6\ ``Industrial equipment'' is any article of specifically
listed equipment that is of a type, which (1) in operation consumes,
or is designed to consume, energy; (2) to any significant extent, is
distributed in commerce for industrial or commercial use; (3) is not
a ``covered product,'' and (4) for which the Secretary has
determined coverage is necessary to carry out the purpose of Part A-
1. (42 U.S.C. 6311(2)(A); 42 U.S.C. 6312(b))
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To date DOE has not proposed test procedures or energy conservation
standards for fans and blowers. Prior to the August 2021 Final Coverage
Determination, on January 10, 2020, DOE received a petition from AMCA,
Air Conditioning Contractors of America, and Sheet Metal & Air
Conditioning Contractors of America (``the Petitioners'') requesting
that DOE establish test procedures for certain categories of commercial
and industrial fans based on an upcoming industry test method, AMCA
214.\7\ DOE published a
[[Page 54414]]
notice of petition and request for public comment (``April 2020 Notice
of Petition''). 85 FR 22677, 22677-22678 (April 23, 2020).
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\7\ At the time of the petition, AMCA 214-21 was available as a
draft version (AMCA 214).
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To date, DOE has not proposed test procedures or energy
conservation standards for fans and blowers, including ACFHs. DOE has
identified a number of issues specific to potential test procedures for
ACFHs that may benefit from public input.
II. Request for Information
In the following sections, DOE has identified a variety of issues
on which it seeks input to determine whether, and if so how, potential
test procedures for fans and blowers, including ACFHs, would (1) comply
with the requirements in EPCA that test procedures be reasonably
designed to produce test results which reflect energy use during a
representative average use cycle, and (2) not be unduly burdensome to
conduct (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)). Additionally, DOE welcomes comments on
any aspect related to the potential test procedures for fans and
blowers, including ACFHs that may not specifically be identified in
this document.
A. Fans and Blowers
Although EPCA lists fans and blowers as types of industrial
equipment, these terms are not defined. (See 42 U.S.C. 6311(2)(B)(ii)
and (B)(iii)) As noted, DOE has established a definition for
``fans''.\8\ As industrial equipment, this equipment excludes ceiling
fans and furnace fans, both covered products defined at 10 CFR 430.2.
(See 10 CFR 431.171) In the August 2021 Notice of Final Coverage
Determination, DOE determined that the definition appropriately covered
fans and blowers that are industrial equipment as specified by EPCA. 86
FR 46579, 46585. DOE is publishing this RFI to provide for additional
public comment on issues specific to potential test procedures for fans
and blowers, including air circulating fan heads, following the final
coverage determination i.e., the August 2021 Notice of Final Coverage
Determination.
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\8\ ``A fan (or blower) means a rotary bladed machine used to
convert electrical or mechanical power to air power, with an energy
output limited to 25 kilojoule (kJ) per kilogram (kg) of air. It
consists of an impeller, a shaft and bearings and/or driver to
support the impeller, as well as a structure or housing. A fan (or
blower) may include a transmission, driver, and/or motor
controller.'' (10 CFR 431.172)
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B. Scope and Definitions for ACFHs
1. Definition
ACFHs that are the subject of this RFI are designed to provide
concentrated directional airflow and consist of a motor, impeller and
guard for mounting on a pedestal, wall mount bracket, ceiling mount
bracket, I-beam bracket or other mounting means. ACFHs are different
from ceiling fans, which are designed to circulate air rather than
provide concentrated directional airflow. As a result, ACFHs have lower
diameter-to-maximum operating speed ratio (expressed in inches per
revolutions per minute (``in/RPM'')) than ceiling fans.
As previously noted, fans and blowers are defined at 10 CFR
431.172. DOE does not currently define air circulating fans heads. The
American National Standards Institute (``ANSI'')/Air Movement and
Control Association International, Inc. (``AMCA'') Standard 230-15,
``Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and
Certification'' (``AMCA 230-15'') \9\ is the industry test procedure
for air circulating fans, which include ACFHs.\10\ Section 5.1 of AMCA
230-15 defines an ``air circulating fan'' as ``a non-ducted fan used
for the general circulation of air within a confined space''. It
further classifies ACFHs as a category of air circulating fans and is
defined in Section 5.1.1 of AMCA 230-15 as follows: ``an assembly
consisting of a motor, impeller and guard for mounting on a pedestal
having a base and column, wall mount bracket, ceiling mount bracket, I-
beam bracket or other commonly accepted mounting means.''
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\9\ AMCA 230-15 was approved by ANSI on October 16, 2015.
\10\ In addition to ACFHs, AMCA 230-15 defines four other
categories of air circulating fans: (1) Ceiling fans (the subject of
a separate DOE rulemaking as discussed in this document); (2)
personnel coolers (``a fan used in shops, factories, etc. Generally
supplied with wheels or casters on the housing or frame to aid in
portability, and with motor and impeller enclosed in a common guard
and shroud''); (3) box fans (``a fan used in an office or
residential application and having the motor and impeller enclosed
in an approximately square box frame having a handle''); and (4)
table fans (``a fan intended for use on a desk, table or countertop.
The fan may also be provided with the means for mounting to a
wall''). See Sections 5.1.2 through 5.1.5 of AMCA 230-15.
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ANSI/AMCA Standard 214-21, ``Test Procedure for Calculating Fan
Energy Index for Commercial and Industrial Fans and Blowers'' (``AMCA
214-21'') \11\ defines a ``circulating fan'' as ``a fan that is not a
ceiling fan that is used to move air within a space that has no
provision for connection to ducting or separation of the fan inlet from
its outlet. The fan is designed to be used for the general circulation
of air''. (See Section 3.15 of AMCA 214-21) AMCA 214-21 does not define
ACFHs.
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\11\ AMCA 214-21 was approved by ANSI on March 1, 2021.
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DOE reviewed the existing definitions of ACFHs, air circulating
fan, and circulating fan, and marketing material for this
equipment,\12\ and determined that certain ACFHs are designed for use
in commercial and industrial applications and meet the definition of
fans and blowers as they are rotary bladed machines that convert
electrical power to air power, have an energy output limited to 25 kJ/
kg and consist of an impeller, a shaft and bearings and, as well as a
structure or housing. When establishing the proposed definitions to
support any potential test procedure for ACFHs, DOE will consider
whether existing definitions in industry standards can be used. DOE is
reviewing AMCA 214-21, and AMCA 230-15 and is interested in collecting
additional information that would help in establishing definitions.
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\12\ See for example: <a href="http://www.industrialfansdirect.com/collections/air-circulator-fans/air-circulator-fan-heads-and-mounts">www.industrialfansdirect.com/collections/air-circulator-fans/air-circulator-fan-heads-and-mounts</a>;
<a href="http://www.grainger.com/category/hvac-and-refrigeration/cooling-fans/industrial-cooling-fans/industrial-fan-heads">www.grainger.com/category/hvac-and-refrigeration/cooling-fans/industrial-cooling-fans/industrial-fan-heads</a>.
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Issue 1: DOE seeks input and comments on the definition of air
circulating fan and ACFH as specified in AMCA 230-15. If these
definitions are not appropriate, DOE seeks input on how they should be
amended and why. Specifically, DOE seeks feedback on whether the
definition of ACFH should also specify a maximum value of diameter-to-
maximum operating speed ratio (e.g., 0.06 in/RPM) to distinguish ACFHs
from ceiling fans.
Issue 2: DOE requests comments on whether it should consider
limiting the definition of ACFHs based on the fan's electrical input
power, or any other characteristic that would allow identifying ACFHs
that are to any significant extent distributed in commerce for
industrial or commercial use. DOE seeks information to support any
recommendation to limit the definition of ACFHs based on fan electrical
input power or any other characteristics.
Issue 3: DOE requests comments on whether it should consider test
procedures for additional categories of air circulating fans other than
ACFHs, specifically, personnel coolers, box fans, or table fans that
meet the definition of ``fan and blower''.
2. Scope
When establishing the proposed scope of any potential test
procedure, DOE
[[Page 54415]]
may consider whether to specify additional design characteristics
(e.g., fan impeller blade tip diameter) to identify ACFHs that would be
in the scope of any potential test procedures.
Issue 4: DOE requests comments on whether it should consider
limiting the scope of any potential test procedure for ACFHs based on
the fan's impeller blade tip diameter, or any other physical design
characteristic. DOE seeks information to support any potential
exclusions from the scope of potential test procedures.
C. Test Procedure for ACFHs
As noted, there are currently no DOE test procedures for ACFHs.
1. Industry Standards
DOE's established practice is to adopt industry standards as DOE
test procedures unless such methodology would be unduly burdensome to
conduct or would not produce test results that reflect the energy
efficiency, energy use, water use (as specified in EPCA) or estimated
operating costs of that product during a representative average use
cycle. 10 CFR 431.4; 10 CFR part 430 subpart C appendix A section 8(c).
In cases where the industry standard does not meet EPCA statutory
criteria for test procedures, DOE will make modifications through the
rulemaking process to these standards as the DOE test procedure.
AMCA 214-21 provides methods to establish the fan electrical input
power (``FEP'') in kilowatts (``kW'') and fan energy index \13\
(``FEI'') for various categories of fans, either by: (1) The
measurement of the electrical input power to the fan (i.e., a ``wire-
to-air'' test); or by (2) the measurement of the fan shaft power and
the application of calculation algorithms to reflect additional motor,
transmission, or control energy use. AMCA 214-21 references AMCA 230-15
\14\ as the industry test procedure to follow when conducting
performance measurements on air circulating fans, including ACFHs.
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\13\ The FEI of a fan at a given operating point is a
dimensionless index defined as the FEP (kW) of a theoretical
reference fan described in Section 5 of AMCA 214-21, divided by the
actual FEP (kW) of the fan at the same operating point as described
in Section 6 of AMCA 241-21. See section 4 of AMCA 214-21.
\14\ AMCA 230-15 provides methods for conducting laboratory
tests to determine the performance characteristics of circulating
fans including the FEP in Watts (``W''), speed in RPM, pressure in
inch of mercury, airflow in cfm, thrust in pound force (lbf),
efficacy in cfm/W, and overall efficiency in lbf/W.
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Issue 5: DOE seeks feedback on whether AMCA 214-21 and AMCA 230-15
would be appropriate for adoption in a potential Federal test procedure
for ACFHs. If using AMCA 214-21 and AMCA 230-15 is not appropriate, DOE
seeks input on how AMCA 214-21 and AMCA 230-15 should be amended and
why, and on any other industry test standard that would be more
appropriate.
Issue 6: DOE seeks information and data to assist in evaluating the
repeatability and reproducibility of AMCA 214-21 and AMCA 230-15 as
applied to ACFHs. DOE seeks input on whether any changes to AMCA 214-21
and AMCA 230-15 are needed to increase its repeatability and
reproducibility.
Issue 7: DOE seeks information on whether changes to AMCA 214-21
and AMCA 230-15 are needed to allow for representative energy
efficiency ratings for ACFHs, and whether such changes would increase
test burden.
2. Metric
AMCA 214-21 provides uniform methods to determine the FEP and FEI
of a fan at a given duty point.\15\ As explained, FEP describes the
electrical input power of a fan in kilowatts. AMCA 214-21 defines FEI
as the ratio of the electrical input power of a reference fan to the
electrical input power of the actual fan for which the FEI is
calculated, both established at the same duty point. FEI is a
dimensionless index designed to facilitate the evaluation of a fan's
performance against a reference fan. Section 5 of AMCA 214-21 provides
the equations necessary to calculate the reference fan electrical input
power as a function of airflow and pressure.
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\15\ A duty point is characterized by a given airflow and
pressure and has a corresponding operating speed. AMCA 214 provides
methods to establish the FEP and FEI at any duty point within the
operating range of the fan.
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AMCA 230-15 provides methods to determine the FEP of air
circulating fans (including ACFHs) as well as efficacy (i.e., amount of
flow per unit of electrical input power produced in cubic feet per
minute per watt (``cfm/W'')) and overall efficiency (i.e., amount of
thrust per unit of electrical input power produced in pound-force per
watt (``lbf/W'')).
DOE is reviewing the metrics in AMCA 214-21 and AMCA 230-15 and is
interested in collecting additional information that would help
evaluate use of these metrics in a Federal test procedure.
Issue 8: DOE requests comment on whether the FEP metric (obtained
in accordance with AMCA 214-21) is appropriate for adoption in the
Federal test procedure for ACFHs, and on whether any changes are
necessary to allow for more representative energy efficiency ratings,
and whether these changes would increase test burden. If the metrics on
AMCA 214-21 are not appropriate, DOE seeks input on how the metrics
should be amended and why, and on any other metrics that would be more
appropriate. Specifically, DOE requests comment on whether it should
consider other performance metrics as measured by AMCA 230-15, such as
efficacy and overall efficiency.
3. Sampling
DOE provides sampling provisions for determining represented values
of energy use or efficiency of a covered product or equipment. See
generally 10 CFR part 429 and 10 CFR part 431. These sampling
provisions provide uniform statistical methods that require testing a
sample of units that is large enough to account for reasonable
manufacturing variability among individual units of a basic model, or
variability in the test methodology, such that the test results for the
overall sample will be reasonably representative of the efficiency of
that basic model.
The basic model concept allows manufacturers to group like models
for the purpose of DOE's certification requirements, thereby reducing
the burden placed on manufacturers by streamlining the amount of
testing they must do to rate the energy use or efficiency of their
product. DOE's current regulations provide equipment-specific basic
model definitions, which typically state that models within the same
basic model group have ``essentially identical'' energy or water use
characteristics.\16\
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\16\ See 10 CFR 431.12, 431.62, 431.82, 431.102, 431.132,
431.152, 431.202, 431.222, 431.242, 431.262, 431.292, 431.302,
431.322, 431.442, and 431.462.
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The general sampling requirement currently applicable to all
covered products and equipment provides that a sample of sufficient
size must be randomly selected and tested and that, unless otherwise
specified, a minimum of two units must be tested to certify a basic
model. 10 CFR 429.11. This minimum is implicit in the requirement to
calculate a mean--an average--which requires at least two values.
Manufacturers can increase their sample size to narrow the margin of
error.
Issue 9: DOE seeks information on whether the statistical sampling
plans used for other commercial and industrial equipment at 10 CFR part
429
[[Page 54416]]
would be appropriate for ACFHs. If not, DOE requests information and
data to explain why not, and what changes would be appropriate.
III. Submission of Comments
DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by the date
specified under the DATES heading, comments and information on matters
addressed in this RFI and on other matters relevant to DOE's
consideration of amended test procedures for fans and blowers. These
comments and information will aid in the development of a test
procedure NOPR for fans and blowers if DOE determines that test
procedures may be appropriate for this equipment.
Submitting comments via <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. The
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> web page will require you to provide your name and
contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be
publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization
name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your
comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties,
DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you
include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment.
Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not
be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your
comment. Following this instruction, persons viewing comments will see
only first and last names, organization names, correspondence
containing comments, and any documents submitted with the comments.
Do not submit to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> information for which
disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and
commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as
Confidential Business Information (``CBI'')). Comments submitted
through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments received
through the website will waive any CBI claims for the information
submitted. For information on submitting CBI, see the Confidential
Business Information section.
DOE processes submissions made through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> before
posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being
submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed
simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several
weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>
provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.
Submitting comments via email. Comments and documents submitted via
email also will be posted to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. If you do not want
your personal contact information to be publicly viewable, do not
include it in your comment or any accompanying documents. Instead,
provide your contact information on a cover letter. Include your first
and last names, email address, telephone number, and optional mailing
address. The cover letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it
does not include any comments.
Include contact information each time you submit comments, data,
documents, and other information to DOE. Faxes will not be accepted.
Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that
are not secured, written in English and free of any defects or viruses.
Documents should not contain special characters or any form of
encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature
of the author.
Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting
time.
Confidential Business Information. According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any
person submitting information that he or she believes to be
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via
email 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. DOE will make its own
determination about the confidential status of the information and
treat it according to its determination.
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 this process.
Interactions with and between members of the public provide a balanced
discussion of the issues and assist DOE in the process. Anyone who
wishes to be added to the DOE mailing list to receive future notices
and information about this process should contact Appliance and
Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or via email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f7b687879b9e96999492a48396999396859384a6829284839e989984b79292d9939892d9909881"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c988b9b9a5a0a8a7aaac9abda8a7ada8bbadba98bcacbabda0a6a7ba89acace7ada6ace7aea6bf">[email protected]</span></a>.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on September
27, 2021, by Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of
Energy. That document with the original signature and date is
maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance
with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the
undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to
sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as
an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative
process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon
publication in the Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-21387 Filed 9-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 1, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.