§ 305.14 - Label content for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.

§ 305.14 Energy information disclosures for heating and cooling equipment.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 84 FR 58029, Oct. 30, 2019.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 84 FR 58033, Oct. 30, 2019.

The following provisions apply to any covered central air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace.

(a) Manufacturer duty to provide labels. For any covered central air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace model that a manufacturer distributes in commerce, the manufacturer must make a copy of the EnergyGuide label available on a publicly accessible Web site in a manner that allows catalog sellers and consumers to hyperlink to the label or download it for their use. The labels must remain on the Web site for six months after the manufacturer ceases the model's production.

(b) Distribution.

(1) Manufacturers and private labelers must provide to distributors and retailers, including assemblers, EnergyGuide labels for covered central air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces (including boilers) they sell to them. The label may be provided in paper or electronic form (including Internet-based access). Distributors must give this information to retailers, including assemblers, they supply.

(2) Retailers, including assemblers, who sell covered central air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces (including boilers) to consumers must show the labels for the products they offer to customers and let them read the labels before the customers agree to purchase the product. For example, the retailer may display labeled units in their store or direct consumers to the labels in a binder or computer at a counter or service desk.

(3) Retailers, including installers and assemblers, who negotiate or make sales at a place other than their regular places of business, including sales over the telephone or through electronic communications, must show the labels for the products they offer to customers and let them read the labels before the customers agree to purchase the product. If the labels are on a Web site, retailers, including assemblers, who negotiate or make sales at a place other than their regular places of business, may choose to provide customers with instructions to access such labels in lieu of showing them a paper version of the information. Retailers who choose to use the Internet for the required label disclosures must provide customers the opportunity to read such information prior to sale of the product.

(c) Oil furnace labels. If an installer installs an oil furnace with an input capacity different from that set by the manufacturer and the manufacturer identifies alternative capacities on the label, the installer must permanently mark the appropriate box on the EnergyGuide label displaying the installed input capacity and the associated AFUE as illustrated in Sample Labels in appendix L to this part.

[81 FR 63650, Sept. 15, 2016

Label content for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.

(a) Label content.

(1) Headlines and texts, as illustrated in the prototype and sample labels in appendix L to this part, are standard for all labels.

(2) Name of manufacturer or private labeler shall, in the case of a corporation, be deemed to be satisfied only by the actual corporate name, which may be preceded or followed by the name of the particular division of the corporation. In the case of an individual, partnership, or association, the name under which the business is conducted shall be used. Inclusion of the name of the manufacturer or private labeler is optional at the discretion of the manufacturer or private labeler.

(3) Model number(s) will be the designation given by the manufacturer or private labeler.

(4) Capacity or size is that determined in accordance with this part. The capacity provided on the label shall be the model's total refrigerated volume (VT) as determined in accordance with this part and the model description must be consistent with the categories described in Appendices A and B to this part.

(5) Unless otherwise indicated in this paragraph, estimated annual operating costs must be determined in accordance with this part. Labels for dual-mode refrigerator-freezers that can operate as either a refrigerator or a freezer must reflect the estimated energy cost of the model's most energy intensive configuration.

(6) Unless otherwise indicated in this paragraph, ranges of comparability for estimated annual operating costs are found in the appropriate appendices accompanying this part.

(7) Placement of the labeled product on the scale shall be proportionate to the lowest and highest estimated annual operating costs.

(8) Labels must contain the model's estimated annual energy consumption as determined in accordance with this part and as indicated on the sample labels in appendix L.

(9) Labels must contain statements as illustrated in the prototype labels in appendix L and specified as follows by product type:

(i) Labels for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers shall contain the text and graphics illustrated in sample labels of appendix L, including the statement:

Compare ONLY to other labels with yellow numbers.

Labels with yellow numbers are based on the same test procedures.

(ii) Labels for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers must contain a statement as illustrated in the prototype labels in appendix L and specified as follows (fill in the blanks with the appropriate energy cost figure):

Your cost will depend on your utility rates and use.

Both cost ranges based on models of similar size capacity.

[Insert statement required by paragraph (a)(9)(iii) of this section].

Estimated energy cost based on a national average electricity cost of ____ cents per kWh.

ftc.gov/energy.

(iii) Labels for refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers shall include the following as part of the statement required by paragraph (a)(9)(ii) of this section:

(A) For models covered under appendix A1 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Models with similar features have automatic defrost and no freezer.

(B) For models covered under appendix A2 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Models with similar features have manual defrost.

(C) For models covered under appendix A3 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Models with similar features have partial automatic defrost.

(D) For models covered under appendix A4 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Models with similar features have automatic defrost, top-mounted freezer, and no through-the-door ice.

(E) For models covered under appendix A5 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Models with similar features have automatic defrost, side-mounted freezer, and no through-the-door ice.

(F) For models covered under appendix A6 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Models with similar features have automatic defrost, bottom-mounted freezer, and no through-the-door ice.

(G) For models covered under appendix A7 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Models with similar features have automatic defrost, bottom-mounted freezer and through-the-door ice.

(H) For models covered under appendix A8 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Models with similar features have automatic defrost, side-mounted freezer, and through-the-door ice.

(iv) Labels for freezers must contain a statement as illustrated in the prototype labels in appendix L and specified as follows (fill in the blanks with the appropriate energy cost figure):

Your cost will depend on your utility rates and use.

[Insert statement required by paragraph (a)(10)(v) of this section].

Estimated energy cost based on a national average electricity cost of ____cents per kWh.

ftc.gov/energy.

(v) For freezers, the following sentence shall be included as part of the statement required by paragraph (a)(9)(iv) of this section:

(A) For models covered under appendix B1 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Cost range based only on upright freezer models of similar capacity with manual defrost.

(B) For models covered under appendix B2 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Cost range based only on upright freezer models of similar capacity with automatic defrost.

(C) For models covered under appendix B3 to this part, the sentence shall read:

Cost range based only on chest and other freezer models of similar capacity.

(10) The following statement shall appear on each label as illustrated in the prototype and sample labels in appendix L to this part:

Federal law prohibits removal of this label before consumer purchase.

(b) Additional information. No marks or information other than that specified in this part shall appear on or directly adjoining this label except that:

(1) A part or publication number identification may be included on this label, as desired by the manufacturer. If a manufacturer elects to use a part or publication number, it must appear in the lower right-hand corner of the label and be set in 12-point type or smaller.

(2) The energy use disclosure labels required by the governments of Canada or Mexico may appear directly adjoining this label, as desired by the manufacturer.

(3) The manufacturer or private labeler may include the ENERGY STAR logo on the bottom right corner of the label for certified products. The logo must be 1 inch by 1 inch in size. Only manufacturers that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Energy or the Environmental Protection Agency may add the ENERGY STAR logo to labels on certified covered products; such manufacturers may add the ENERGY STAR logo to labels only on those covered products that are contemplated by the Memorandum of Understanding.

[84 FR 58033, Oct. 30, 2019]