[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 25, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73215-73219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18531]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 25, 2023 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 73215]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 431
[EERE-2017-BT-TP-0010]
RIN 1904-AD78
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Walk-In Coolers
and Walk-In Freezers; Correction
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Final rule; correcting amendments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On May 4, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'')
published a final rule adopting test procedures for walk-in coolers and
walk-in freezers. This document corrects errors and omissions in that
final rule. Neither the errors and omissions nor the corrections affect
the substance of the rulemaking or any conclusions reached in support
of the final rule.
DATES: Effective October 25, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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: [email protected].
Mr. Matthew Schneider, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20585-0121. Telephone: (240) 597-6265. Email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On May 4, 2023, DOE published a final rule (``May 2023 Final
Rule'') amending the test procedures for walk-in coolers and freezers
(``walk-ins'') at title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (``CFR'')
part 431, subpart R, appendices A, B, C, and C1 (hereafter referred to
as ``appendix A'', ``appendix B'', ``appendix C'', and ``appendix C1'',
respectively). 88 FR 28780. Since publication of the May 2023 Final
Rule, DOE has identified errors and omissions in the regulatory text
established by that final rule. DOE is issuing this rule to correct
certain errors and omissions in the May 2023 Final Rule, specifically
in 10 CFR 429.70 and appendices A, B, C, and C1, and to assist
regulated entities with compliance efforts. The corrections are
described in the following paragraphs.
In 10 CFR 429.70(f)(5)(vi), Table 7 of the regulatory text in the
May 2023 Final Rule was erroneously labeled as ``Table 7 to Paragraph
(f)(5)(iv),'' whereas it should have been labeled as ``Table 7 to
Paragraph (f)(5)(vi)''. 88 FR 28780, 28837. This document corrects the
typographical error.
Section 5.2.1 of appendix A as finalized by the May 2023 Final Rule
erroneously instructs the reader to determine standardized thermal
transmittance per section 5.1.1 of appendix A. 88 FR 28780, 28840.
However, there is no section 5.1.1 of appendix A; this should instead
reference section 5.1 of appendix A. This document corrects this
typographical error.
In the May 2023 Final Rule preamble text, DOE states that it is
maintaining the current requirement that testing be completed within 24
hours of cutting a test specimen from the envelope components. 88 FR
28780, 28800. However, this requirement was erroneously omitted from
the regulatory text in appendix B. Section 5.3 of appendix B should
instruct the reader that ``Testing must be completed within 24 hours of
samples being cut for testing per section 5.2.5 of this appendix''.
This document corrects this inadvertent omission.
Section 5.2.5.7 of appendix B as finalized by May 2023 Final Rule
erroneously instructs the reader ``To determine the parallelism of the
specimen for side 2, repeat section'' while omitting which section to
repeat. 88 FR 28780, 28845. Section 5.2.5.7 should state ``To determine
the parallelism of the specimen for side 2, repeat section 5.2.5.6 of
this appendix''. This document corrects this inadvertent omission.
In the May 2023 Final Rule regulatory text, the seventh column of
table 17 in appendix C and table 5 in appendix C1 erroneously specify
that the compressor capacity or operating mode of the ``Off-Cycle
Power'' test shall be ``Compressor On'' and that the compressor
capacity or operating mode of ``Refrigeration Capacity, Ambient
Condition A'' test shall be ``Compressor Off''. 88 FR 28780, 28846,
28851-28852. These labels in the seventh column should be switched such
that the ``Off-Cycle Power'' test is labeled as ``Compressor Off'' and
the ``Refrigeration Capacity, Ambient Condition A'' test is labeled as
``Compressor On''. This document corrects these typographical errors.
In the May 2023 Final Rule regulatory text, the table for Test
Operating Conditions for Medium-Temperature CO2 Unit Coolers
in appendix C is erroneously labeled as Table 17. 88 FR 28780, 28846.
In appendix C, Table 15 and Table 16 provide modifications to Table 15
and Table 16 included in the referenced industry standard, AHRI 1250-
2009 ``Standard for Performance Rating of Walk-in Coolers and
Freezers.'' Because these tables do not represent table numbering
within appendix C, subsequent tables only included in appendix C (i.e.,
Tables 17 through 19 and the final Table 1, discussed in the following
paragraphs) should not continue with the AHRI 1250-2009 table numbering
approach and should provide distinct table labels. To address this
error and to avoid confusion with the table numbering referencing AHRI
1250-2009, Table 17 as well as the references thereto should instead be
labeled as Table C.1. This document corrects this typographical error.
Similarly, in the May 2023 Final Rule regulatory text, the table
for Test Operating Conditions for Low-Temperature CO2 Unit
Coolers in appendix C is erroneously labeled as Table 18. Id. This
table as well as the references thereto should instead be labeled as
Table C.2. This document corrects this typographical error.
In the May 2023 Final Rule regulatory text, the table for Test
Operating Conditions for High-Temperature Unit Coolers in appendix C is
erroneously labeled as Table 19. Id. This table as well as the
references thereto should
[[Page 73216]]
instead be labeled as Table C.3. This document corrects this
typographical error.
In the May 2023 Final Rule regulatory text, the table for Test
Condition Tolerances and Hierarchy for Refrigerant Charging and Setting
of Refrigerant Conditions is erroneously labeled as Table 1. 88 FR
28780, 28847-28848. This table should instead be labeled as Table C.4.
This document corrects this typographical error.
In the May 2023 Final Rule regulatory text, in the first column
from the left of table 3 to appendix C1, rows three, five, and seven
erroneously included a table note numbered five at the end of each
``Test description''. 88 FR 28780, 28851. There is no table note that
corresponds to note five in this table, however. This document corrects
this error.
In the May 2023 Final Rule regulatory text, in the sixth column
from the left of table 9 to appendix C1, row nine has ``Compressor
operating mode'' erroneously specified as ``Maximum Capacity, k=2''. 88
FR 28780, 28853. This label should instead read ``High Capacity, k=2''.
This document corrects this error.
In the May 2023 Final Rule regulatory text, in the sixth column
from the left of table 13 to appendix C1, rows three, seven, and eleven
have ``Compressor operating mode'' erroneously specified as ``Minimum
Capacity, k=i''. 88 FR 28780, 28854. These labels should instead read
``Intermediate Capacity, k=i''. This document corrects this error.
In the May 2023 Final Rule regulatory text, in the sixth column of
table 14 to appendix C1, row 2 has ``Compressor operating mode''
erroneously specified as ``Minimum Capacity, k=i''. Id. This label
should instead read ``Intermediate Capacity, k=i''. This document
corrects this error.
II. Need for Correction
As published, the regulatory text in May 2023 Final Rule may lead
to confusion in the execution of the DOE test procedure for walk-ins
due to incorrect table labeling, omitted section references, and
extraneous footnotes. Because this final rule would simply correct
errors and omissions in the text without making substantive changes to
test procedures adopted in the May 2023 Final Rule, the changes
addressed in this document are technical in nature.
III. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
DOE has concluded that the determinations made pursuant to the
various procedural requirements applicable to the May 2023 Final Rule
remain unchanged for these final rule technical corrections. These
determinations are set forth in the May 2023 Final Rule. 88 FR 28780,
28827-28834.
Pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b), DOE
finds that there is good cause to not issue a separate notice to
solicit public comment on those technical corrections contained in this
document. Issuing a separate notice to solicit public comment would be
impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest. As
explained previously, the corrections in this document do not affect
the substance of or any of the conclusions reached in support of the
May 2023 Final Rule. Additionally, given the May 2023 Final Rule is a
product of an extensive administrative record with numerous
opportunities for public comment, DOE finds additional comment on the
technical corrections is unnecessary. Therefore, providing prior notice
and an opportunity for public comment on correcting objective errors
and omissions that do not change the substance of the test procedure
serves no useful purpose.
Further, this rule correcting errors and omissions makes non-
substantive changes to the test procedure in the May 2023 Final Rule.
As such, this rule is not subject to the 30-day delay in effective date
requirement of 5 U.S.C. 553(d) otherwise applicable to rules that make
substantive changes.
List of Subjects
10 CFR Part 429
Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports,
Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Small businesses.
10 CFR Part 431
Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation test procedures, Incorporation by
reference, and Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 23,
2023, by Francisco Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of 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 August 23, 2023.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE corrects part 429 and
431 of chapter II of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations by
making the following correcting amendments:
PART 429--CERTIFICATION, COMPLIANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT FOR CONSUMER
PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT
0
1. The authority citation for part 429 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6317; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
0
2. Amend Sec. 429.70 by revising the heading for the table in
paragraph (f)(5)(vi) to read as follows:
Sec. 429.70 Alternative methods for determining energy efficiency and
energy use.
* * * * *
(f) * * *
(5) * * *
(vi) * * *
Table 7 to Paragraph (f)(5)(vi)
* * * * *
PART 431--ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL AND
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT
0
3. The authority citation for part 431 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6317; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
0
4. Appendix A to subpart R of part 431 is amended by revising section
5.2.1 to read as follows:
Appendix A to Subpart R of Part 431--Uniform Test Method for the
Measurement of Energy Consumption of the Components of Envelopes of
Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers
* * * * *
[[Page 73217]]
5. * * *
5.2 * * *
5.2.1 For display doors and display panels, thermal
transmittance, Udd or Udp, respectively, shall
be the standardized thermal transmittance, UST,
determined per section 5.1 of this appendix.
* * * * *
0
5. Appendix B to subpart R of part 431 is amended by revising sections
5.2.5.7 and 5.3 to read as follows:
Appendix B to Subpart R of Part 431-- Uniform Test Method for the
Measurement of R-Value of Insulation for Envelope Components of Walk-In
Coolers and Walk-In Freezers
* * * * *
5. * * *
5.2 * * *
5.2.5 * * *
5.2.5.7 To determine the parallelism of the specimen for side 2,
repeat section 5.2.5.6 of this appendix.
* * * * *
5.3 K-factor Test. Determine the thermal conductivity, or K-
factor, of the 1-inch-thick specimen in accordance with the
specified sections of ASTM C518-17. Testing must be completed within
24 hours of the specimen being cut for testing per section 5.2.5 of
this appendix.
* * * * *
0
6. Appendix C to subpart R of part 431 is amended by:
0
a. In section 3.1.6:
0
i. Removing the words ``table 17'' and adding in its place, the words
``table C.1'' wherever they appear;
0
ii. Revising the newly designated table C.1;
0
iii. Removing the words ``table 18'' and adding in its place, the words
``table C.2'' wherever they appear;
0
b. In section 3.1.7, removing the words ``table 19'' and adding in its
place, the words ``table C.3'' wherever they appear;
0
c. In section 3.2.7.1, removing the words ``table 1'' and adding in its
place, the words ``table C.4'' wherever they appear.
The revision reads as follows:
Appendix C to Subpart R of Part 431--Uniform Test Method for the
Measurement of Net Capacity and AWEF of Walk-In Cooler and Walk-In
Freezer Refrigeration Systems
* * * * *
3. * * *
3.1. * * *
3.1.6 * * *
Table C.1--Test Operating Conditions for Medium-Temperature CO2 Unit Coolers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit cooler Unit cooler
air air Suction dew Liquid inlet Liquid inlet
Test description entering entering point temp, bubble point subcooling, Compressor capacity Test objective
dry-bulb, relative [deg]F temperature [deg]F
[deg]F humidity, % [deg]F
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Off-Cycle Power.................... 35 <50 ........... ............ ............ Compressor Off........... Measure fan input
power during
compressor off-
cycle.
Refrigeration Capacity, Ambient 35 <50 25 38 5 Compressor On............ Determine Net
Condition A. Refrigeration
Capacity of Unit
Cooler.
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Notes:
\1\ Superheat shall be set as indicated in the installation instructions. If no superheat specification is given a default superheat value of 6.5 [deg]F
shall be used.
0
7. Appendix C1 to subpart R of part 431 is amended by:
0
a. In section 3.2.1, revising table 3;
0
b. In section 3.2.2, revising table 5;
0
c. In section 3.2.3, revising table 9; and
0
d. In section 3.2.4, revising tables 13 and 14.
The revisions read as follows:
Appendix C1 to Subpart R of Part 431--Uniform Test Method for the
Measurement of Net Capacity and AWEF2 of Walk-In Cooler and Walk-In
Freezer Refrigeration Systems
* * * * *
3. * * *
3.2. * * *
3.2.1. * * *
Table 3--Test Operating Conditions for Fixed-Capacity High-Temperature Outdoor Matched-Pair or Single-Packaged Refrigeration Systems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit cooler
Unit cooler air Condenser Condenser
air entering air air
Test description entering relative entering entering Compressor status Test objective
dry-bulb, humidity, % dry-bulb, wet-bulb,
[deg]F \1\ [deg]F [deg]F
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refrigeration Capacity A................ 55 55 95 \3\ 75, \4\ Compressor On................. Determine Net
68 Refrigeration Capacity of
Unit Cooler, input power,
and EER at Test
Condition.
Off-Cycle Power, Capacity A............. 55 55 95 \3\ 75, \4\ Compressor Off................ Measure total input
68 wattage during compressor
off-cycle, ( Ecu,off +
EFcomp,off) \2\.
Refrigeration Capacity B................ 55 55 59 \3\ 54, \4\ Compressor On................. Determine Net
46 Refrigeration Capacity of
Unit Cooler and system
input power at moderate
condition.
Off-Cycle Power, Capacity B............. 55 55 59 \3\ 54, \4\ Compressor Off................ Measure total input
46 wattage during compressor
off-cycle, (Ecu,off +
EFcomp,off) \2\.
Refrigeration Capacity C................ 55 55 35 \3\ 34, \4\ Compressor On................. Determine Net
29 Refrigeration Capacity of
Unit Cooler and system
input power at cold
condition.
Off-Cycle Power, Capacity C............. 55 55 35 \3\ 34, \4\ Compressor Off................ Measure total input
29 wattage during compressor
off-cycle, (Ecu,off +
EFcomp,off) \2\.
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Notes:
\1\ The test condition tolerance (maximum permissible variation of the average value of the measurement from the specified test condition) for relative
humidity is 3%.
\2\ Measure off-cycle power as described in sections C3 and C4.2 of AHRI 1250-2020.
\3\ Required only for evaporative condensing units (e.g., incorporates a slinger ring).
\4\ Maximum allowable value for Single-Packaged Systems that do not use evaporative Dedicated Condensing Units, where all or part of the equipment is
located in the outdoor room.
[[Page 73218]]
* * * * *
3.2.2 * * *
Table 5--Test Operating Conditions \1\ for Medium-Temperature CO2 Unit Coolers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit cooler Unit cooler
air air Suction dew Liquid inlet Liquid
Test title entering entering point bubble point inlet Compressor operating mode Test objective
dry-bulb, relative temp,\3\ temperature, subcooling,
[deg]F humidity, % [deg]F [deg]F [deg]F
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Off-Cycle Power................... 35 <50 ........... .............. ........... Compressor Off........... Measure unit cooler
input wattage during
compressor off-
cycle, EF \2\.
Refrigeration Capacity, Ambient 35 <50 25 38 5 Compressor On............ Determine Net
Condition A. Refrigeration
Capacity of Unit
Cooler, q
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Notes:
\1\ Superheat shall be set as indicated in the installation instructions. If no superheat specification is given a default superheat value of 6.5 [deg]F
shall be used.
\2\ Measure off-cycle power as described in sections C3 and C4.2 of AHRI 1250-2020.
\3\ Suction Dew Point shall be measured at the Unit Cooler Exit conditions.
* * * * *
3.2.3 * * *
Table 9--Test Operating Conditions for Two-Capacity Low-Temperature Outdoor Dedicated Condensing Units
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condenser air
Suction dew Return gas, Condenser air entering wet- Compressor
Test title point, [deg]F [deg]F entering dry- bulb, [deg]F operating mode
bulb, [deg]F \1\
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Capacity, Condition A, Low -22 5 95 75 Low Capacity,
Capacity. k=1.
Capacity, Condition A, High -22 5 95 75 High Capacity,
Capacity. k=2.
Off-Cycle, Condition A........ .............. .............. 95 75 Compressor Off.
Capacity, Condition B, Low -22 5 59 54 Low Capacity,
Capacity. k=1.
Capacity, Condition B, High -22 5 59 54 High Capacity,
Capacity. k=2.
Off-Cycle, Condition B........ .............. .............. 59 54 Compressor Off.
Capacity, Condition C, Low -22 5 35 34 Low Capacity,
Capacity. k=1.
Capacity, Condition C, High -22 5 35 34 High Capacity,
Capacity. k=2.
Off-Cycle, Condition C........ .............. .............. 35 34 Compressor Off.
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Notes:
\1\ Required only for evaporative condensing units (e.g., incorporates a slinger ring).
* * * * *
3.2.4 * * *
Table 13--Test Operating Conditions for Variable- or Multiple-Capacity Low-Temperature Outdoor Dedicated
Condensing Units
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Condenser air
Suction dew Return gas, Condenser air entering wet- Compressor
Test title point, [deg]F [deg]F entering dry- bulb, [deg]F operating mode
bulb, [deg]F \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity, Condition A, Minimum -22 5 95 75 Minimum
Capacity. Capacity, k=1.
Capacity, Condition A, -22 5 95 75 Intermediate
Intermediate Capacity. Capacity, k=i.
Capacity, Condition A, Maximum -22 5 95 75 Maximum
Capacity. Capacity, k=2.
Off-Cycle, Condition A........ .............. .............. 95 75 Compressor Off.
Capacity, Condition B, Minimum -22 5 59 54 Minimum
Capacity. Capacity, k=1.
Capacity, Condition B, -22 5 59 54 Intermediate
Intermediate Capacity. Capacity, k=i.
Capacity, Condition B, Maximum -22 5 59 54 Maximum
Capacity. Capacity, k=2.
Off-Cycle, Condition B........ .............. .............. 59 54 Compressor Off.
Capacity, Condition C, Minimum -22 5 35 34 Minimum
Capacity. Capacity, k=1.
Capacity, Condition C, -22 5 35 34 Intermediate
Intermediate Capacity. Capacity, k=i.
Capacity, Condition C, Maximum -22 5 35 34 Maximum
Capacity. Capacity, k=2.
[[Page 73219]]
Off-Cycle, Condition C........ .............. .............. 35 34 Compressor Off.
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Notes:
\1\ Required only for evaporative condensing units (e.g., incorporates a slinger ring).
Table 14--Test Operating Conditions for Variable- or Multiple-Capacity Low-Temperature Indoor Dedicated
Condensing Units
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condenser air
Suction dew Return gas, Condenser air entering wet- Compressor
Test title point, [deg]F [deg]F entering dry- bulb, [deg]F operating mode
bulb, [deg]F \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity, Condition A, Minimum -22 5 90 75 Minimum
Capacity. Capacity, k=1.
Capacity, Condition A, -22 5 90 75 Intermediate
Intermediate Capacity. Capacity, k=i.
Capacity, Condition A, Maximum -22 5 90 75 Maximum
Capacity. Capacity, k=2.
Off-Cycle, Condition A........ .............. .............. 90 75 Compressor Off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ Required only for evaporative condensing units (e.g., incorporates a slinger ring).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2023-18531 Filed 10-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P