Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Air-Cooled, Evaporatively-Cooled, and Water-Cooled Commercial Package Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

<RULE> DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY <CFR>10 CFR Parts 429 and 431</CFR> <DEPDOC>[EERE-2023-BT-TP-0014]</DEPDOC> <RIN>RIN 1904-AD93</RIN> <SUBJECT>Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Air-Cooled, Evaporatively-Cooled, and Water-Cooled Commercial Package Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Final rule. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> The U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) is amending the Federal test procedures for air-cooled commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps with a rated cooling capacity greater than or equal to 65,000 Btu/h, evaporatively-cooled commercial package air conditioners, and water-cooled commercial package air conditioners to incorporate by reference the latest versions of the applicable industry test standards. Specifically, DOE is amending the current test procedure for this equipment for measuring the current cooling and heating metrics—integrated energy efficiency ratio (“IEER”) and coefficient of performance (“COP”), respectively; and establishing a new test procedure for this equipment that adopts two new metrics—integrated ventilation, economizer, and cooling (“IVEC”) and integrated ventilation and heating efficiency (“IVHE”). Testing to the IVEC and IVHE metrics will not be required until such time as compliance is required with any amended energy conservation standard based on the new metrics. Additionally, DOE is amending certain provisions of DOE's regulations related to representations and enforcement for the subject equipment. </SUM> <EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD> The effective date of this rule is August 5, 2024. The amendments will be mandatory for testing the subject equipment starting May 15, 2025. The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register on August 5, 2024. The incorporation by reference of certain other materials listed in this rule were approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 22, 2016. </EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD> The docket, which includes <E T="04">Federal Register</E> notices, public meeting webinar attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for review at <E T="03">www.regulations.gov</E> under docket number EERE-2023-BT-TP-0014. All documents in the docket are listed in the <E T="03">www.regulations.gov</E> index. However, not all documents listed in the index may be publicly available, such as those containing information that is exempt from public disclosure. A link to the docket web page can be found at <E T="03">www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2023-BT-TP-0014.</E> The docket web page contains instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket. For further information on how to review the docket, contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: <E T="03">ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov.</E> <FURINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD> Mr. Troy Watson, 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: (240) 449-9387. Email: <E T="03">ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov.</E> Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-4798. Email: <E T="03">Eric.Stas@hq.doe.gov.</E> For further information on how to review the docket, contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: <E T="03">ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov.</E> </FURINF> <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> DOE maintains a previously approved incorporation by reference and incorporates by reference the following industry standards into parts 429 and 431: AHRI Standard 340/360-2022 (I-P), <E T="03">2022 Standard for Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air-conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment,</E> AHRI-approved January 26, 2022 (“AHRI 340/360-2022”). AHRI Standard 1340-2023 (I-P), <E T="03">2023 Standard for Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air-conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment,</E> AHRI-approved November 16, 2023 (“AHRI 1340-2023”). Copies of AHRI 340/360-2022 and AHRI 1340-2023 can be obtained from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (“AHRI”), 2311 Wilson Blvd., Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22201, (703) 524-8800, or online at: <E T="03">www.ahrinet.org/standards/search-standards.</E> ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 37-2009, <E T="03">Methods of Testing for Rating Electrically Driven Unitary Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment,</E> ASHRAE-approved June 24, 2009 (“ANSI/ASHRAE 37-2009”). Copies of ANSI/ASHRAE 37-2009 can be obtained from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (“ASHRAE”), 180 Technology Parkway NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, (404) 636-8400, or online at: <E T="03">www.ashrae.org.</E> See section IV.N of this document for a further discussion of these standards. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Table of Contents</HD> <EXTRACT> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">I. Synopsis of the Final Rule</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">II. Authority and Background</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Authority</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Background</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">III. Discussion</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Scope of Applicability</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Definitions</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. CUAC and CUHP Definition</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Basic Model Definition</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Double-Duct Definition</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">4. Metric Definitions</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Updates to Industry Standards</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. AHRI 340/360</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. AHRI 1340</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. ASHRAE 37</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Term Sheet Recommendations and Metrics</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. IVEC</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. IVHE</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. DOE Adopted Test Procedures and Comments Received</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Overall</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Double-Duct Systems</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. ECUACs and WCUACs</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Overall</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. ESP Requirements for ECUACs and WCUACs</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">c. ECUAC and WCUAC Test Temperatures and WCUAC Heat Rejection Components</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">4. IVHE for Colder Climates</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">5. Test Conditions Used for Current Metrics in Appendix A</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">6. Test Conditions Used for New Metrics in Appendix A1</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">7. Provisions Introduced in the AHRI 1340-202X Draft</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Cooling Weighting Factors Adjustment</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. ESP Testing Target Calculation</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">c. Test Instructions for Splitting ESP Between Return and Supply Duct</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">d. Default Fan Power and Maximum Pressure Drop for Coil-Only Systems</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">e. Component Power Measurement</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">f. Non-Standard Low-Static Indoor Fan Motors</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">g. IVHE Equations</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">8. Heating Test Provisions Not Included in the AHRI 1340-202X Draft</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. General</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Definitions of Heating Operating Levels</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2"> c. Boost2 Heating Operating Level and COP2 <E T="52">5</E> </FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">d. Extrapolation of Boost Heating Operating Level to 21 °F</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2"> e. Operating Levels Used for Optional COP2 <E T="52">17</E> Representations </FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">9. Test Procedure Revisions Recommended for a Future Rulemaking</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Configuration of Unit Under Test</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Summary</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2"> 2. Background </FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Proposed Approach for Exclusion of Certain Components</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Components Addressed Through Test Provisions of 10 CFR Part 431, Subpart F, Appendices A and A1</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Components Addressed Through Representation Provisions of 10 CFR 429.43</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">c. Enforcement Provisions of 10 CFR 429.134</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">d. Testing Specially Built Units That Are Not Distributed in Commerce</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">4. Updates in AHRI 1340-2023</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">5. Comments Received and Adopted Provisions</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Overall Approach</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Coated Coils</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. Represented Values</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Cooling Capacity</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Representations of Cooling Capacity</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Verification of Cooling Capacity</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. AEDM Tolerance for IVEC and IVHE</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Minimum Part-Load Airflow</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">H. Enforcement Procedure for Verifying Cut-In and Cut-Out Temperatures</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">I. Organization of the Regulatory Text for CUACs and CUHPs</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">J. Effective and Compliance Dates</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">K. Test Procedure Costs and Impact</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Appendix A</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Appendix A1</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 14094</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Estimate of Small Entities Regulated</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Cost ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Preview showing 10k of 437k characters. Full document text is stored and available for version comparison. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━