The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is requesting comments and information on reviews of several current energy conservation standards and/or test procedures for the products listed below. In conducting these reviews, the agency seeks to determine whether to amend efficiency standards and/or test procedures, and whether it is technologically feasible and economically justifiable to do so. The agency is also evaluating the impact on small entities, and the public is invited to submit specific small business considerations. The following standards are open for comment:
Automatic Commercial Ice Makers: Test Procedures
DOE is proposing to amend test procedures for automatic commercial ice makers to update them with the latest industry standards, establish relative humidity and water hardness test conditions and make various other amendments. Read more and submit public comments here.
Written comments are due by February 22, 2022.
DOE will hold a webinar to discuss this proposal on January 24, 2022. More information is available here.
Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment: Test Procedures
DOE is amending test procedures for air-cooled, three-phase, small commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment with a cooling capacity of less than 65,000 British thermal units (“Btu/h”) per hour and air-cooled, three-phase, variable refrigerant flow air conditioners and heat pumps with a cooling capacity of less than 65,000 Btu/h to incorporate by reference the latest version of the relevant industry test standard and add seasonal energy efficiency ratios. Read more and submit public comments here.
Written comments due by February 7, 2022.
DOE will host a public hearing on this proposal on January 10, 2022, more information here.
Ceiling Fan: Test Procedures
DOE issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comment to amend energy efficiency test procedures for ceiling fans. Read more and submit public comments here.
Written comments due by February 7, 2022.
DOE will hold a webinar to discuss this proposal on January 11, 2022. More information is available here.
Circulator Pumps: Test Procedures
DOE is proposing to establish definitions, test procedures, and sampling and rating requirements for circulator pumps. Circulator pumps are not currently subject to DOE test procedures or energy conservation standards therefore these are new requirements for this product class. Read more and submit public comments here.
Written comments are due by February 18, 2022.
DOE will hold a webinar to discuss this proposal on February 2, 2022. More information is available here.
Codification of Backstop Requirement for General Service Lamps
DOE is proposing to codify a backstop requirement that prohibits the sale of 45 lm/W general service lamps in accordance with specified statutory provisions. Read more and submit public comments here.
Written comments are due by January 27, 2022.
Cooking Products: Test Procedures
DOE is proposing to amend the energy efficiency test procedures for conventional cook tops. This procedure would replace the procedure withdrawn on August 18, 2020. DOE is also publishing a notice of data availability that outlines the repeatability and reproducibility of the test procedures. Read more and submit public comments here.
Written comments are due by January 18, 2022.
Dishwashers: Test Procedures
DOE is proposing to amend and adopt a new appendix for test procedures for dishwashers. The proposed new test procedure appendix would additionally include updated annual number of cycles and low-power mode hours for the calculation of energy consumption. Read more and submit public comments here.
Written comments are due by February 22, 2022.
DOE will hold a webinar to discuss this proposal on February 3, 2022. More information is available here.
Electric Motors: Test Procedures
DOE is proposing to amend test procedures to be consistent with industry changes to several types of electric motors. Read more and submit public comments here.
Written comments are due by February 15, 2022.
DOE will hold a webinar to discuss this proposal on January 25, 2022. More information is available here.
VRF Multi-Split Systems: Test Procedures
DOE is amending test procedures for variable refrigerant flow multi-split air conditioners and heat pumps. Read more and submit public comments here.
Written comments due by February 8, 2022.
Advocacy contact: Prianka Sharma or at (202) 205-6938.