95-25323. Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Granting of the Application for Interim Waiver and Publishing of the Petition for Waiver of the Trane Company From the DOE Furnace Test Procedure  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 198 (Friday, October 13, 1995)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 53354-53357]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-25323]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
    [Case No. F-080]
    
    
    Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Granting of 
    the Application for Interim Waiver and Publishing of the Petition for 
    Waiver of the Trane Company From the DOE Furnace Test Procedure
    
    AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
    Energy.
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: Today's notice publishes a letter granting an Interim Waiver 
    to The Trane Company (Trane) from the existing Department of Energy 
    (DOE or Department) test procedure regarding blower time delay for the 
    company's TUD-C/AUD-C, TDD-C/ADD-C, TUD-R/AUD-R, TDD-R/ADD-R, TUD-R-V/
    AUD-R-V, TDD-R-V/ADD-R-V, TUY-R-V/AUY-R-V, and TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V central 
    furnaces.
        Today's notice also publishes a ``Petition for Waiver'' from Trane. 
    Trane's Petition for Waiver requests DOE to grant relief from the DOE 
    furnace test procedure relating to the blower time delay specification. 
    Trane seeks to test using a blower delay time of 45 seconds for its 
    TUD-C/AUD-C, TDD-C/ADD-C, TUD-R/AUD-R, TDD-R-ADD-R, TUD-R-V/AUD-R-V, 
    TDD-R-V/ADD-R-V, TUY-R-V/AUY-R-V, and TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V central furnaces 
    instead of the specified 1.5-minute delay between burner on-time and 
    blower on-time. The Department is soliciting comments, data, and 
    information respecting the Petition for Waiver.
    
    DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information not later than 
    November 13, 1995.
    
    
    [[Page 53355]]
    
    ADDRESSES: Written comments and statements shall be sent to: Department 
    of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Case No. 
    F-080, Mail Stop EE-43, Room 1J-108, Forrestal Building, 1000 
    Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-7140.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cyrus H. Nasseri, U.S. Department of 
    Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Station 
    EE-431, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
    DC 20585, (202) 586-9138; Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department of 
    Energy, Office of General Counsel, Mail Station GC-72, Forrestal 
    Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 
    586-9507.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Energy Conservation Program for Consumer 
    Products (other than automobiles) was established pursuant to the 
    Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), Public Law 94-163, 89 Stat. 
    917, as amended by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA), 
    Public Law 95-619, 92 Stat. 3266, the National Appliance Energy 
    Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA), Public Law 100-12, the National 
    Appliance Energy Conservation Amendments of 1988 (NAECA 1988), Public 
    Law 100-357, and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), Public Law 102-
    486, 106 Stat. 2776, which requires DOE to prescribe standardized test 
    procedures to measure the energy consumption of certain consumer 
    products, including furnaces. The intent of the test procedures is to 
    provide a comparable measure of energy consumption that will assist 
    consumers in making purchasing decisions. These test procedures appear 
    at 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B.
        The Department amended the prescribed test procedures by adding 10 
    CFR 430.27 on September 26, 1980, creating the waiver process. 45 FR 
    64108. Thereafter, DOE further amended the appliance test procedure 
    waiver process to allow the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency 
    and Renewable Energy (Assistant Secretary) to grant an Interim Waiver 
    from test procedure requirements to manufacturers that have petitioned 
    DOE for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures. 51 FR 42823, 
    November 26, 1986.
        The waiver process allows the Assistant Secretary to waive 
    temporarily, test procedures for a particular basic model when a 
    petitioner shows that the basic model contains one or more design 
    characteristics which prevent testing according to the prescribed test 
    procedures, or when the prescribed test procedures may evaluate the 
    basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy 
    consumption as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 
    Waivers generally remain in effect until final test procedure 
    amendments become effective, resolving the problem that is the subject 
    of the waiver.
        The Interim Waiver provisions added by the 1986 amendment allow the 
    Assistant Secretary to grant an Interim Waiver when it is determined 
    that the applicant will experience economic hardship if the Application 
    for Interim Waiver is denied, if it appears likely that the Petition 
    for Waiver will be granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines 
    that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate 
    relief pending a determination on the Petition for Waiver. An Interim 
    Waiver remains in effect for a period of 180 days or until DOE issues 
    its determination on the Petition for Waiver, whichever is sooner, and 
    may be extended for an additional 180 days, if necessary.
        On August 11, 1995, Trane filed an Application for Interim Waiver 
    and a Petition for Waiver regarding blower time delay. Trane's 
    Application seeks an Interim Waiver from the DOE test provisions that 
    require a 1.5-minute time delay between the ignition of the burner and 
    starting of the circulating air blower. Instead, Trane requests the 
    allowance to test using a 45-second blower time delay when testing its 
    TUD-3C/AUD-C, TDD-C/ADD-C, TUD-R/AUD-R, TDD-R/ADD-R, TUD-R-V/AUD-R-V, 
    TDD-R-V/ADD-R-V, TUY-R-V/AUY-R-V, and TDY R-V/ADY-R-V central furnaces. 
    Trane states that the 45-second delay is indicative of how these 
    furnaces actually operate. Such a delay results in an overall furnace 
    AFUE of approximately 1.0 percent point improvement. Since current DOE 
    test procedures do not address this variable blower time delay, Trane 
    asks that the Interim Waiver be granted.
        The Department has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on 
    August 23, 1993, (58 FR 44583) to amend the furnace test procedure, 
    which addresses the above issue.
        Previous waivers for this type of time blower delay control have 
    been granted by DOE to Coleman Company, 50 FR 2710, January 18, 1985; 
    Magic Chef Company, 50 FR 41553, October 11, 1985; Rheem Manufacturing 
    Company, 53 FR 48574, December 1, 1988, 56 FR 2920, January 25, 1991, 
    57 FR 10166, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 34560, August 5, 1992; 59 FR 30577, 
    June 14, 1994, and 59 FR 55470, November 7, 1994; Trane Company, 54 FR 
    19226, May 4, 1989, 56 FR 6021, February 14, 1991, 57 FR 10167, March 
    24, 1992, 57 FR 22222, May 27, 1992, and 58 FR 68138, December 23, 
    1993; Lennox Industries, 55 FR 50224, December 5, 1990, 57 FR 49700, 
    November 3, 1992, 58 FR 68136, December 23, 1993, and 58 FR 68137, 
    December 23, 1993; Inter-City Products Corporation, 55 FR 51487, 
    December 14, 1990, and 56 FR 63945, December 6, 1991; DMO Industries, 
    56 FR 4622, February 5, 1991, and 59 FR 30579, June 14, 1994; Heil-
    Quaker Corporation, 56 FR 6019, February 14, 1991; Carrier Corporation, 
    56 FR 6018, February 14, 1991, 57 FR 38830, August 27, 1992, 58 FR 
    68131, December 23, 1993, 58 FR 68133, December 23, 1993 and 59 FR 
    14394, March 28, 1994; Amana Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR 27958, June 18, 
    1991, 56 FR 63940, December 6, 1991, 57 FR 23392, June 3, 1992, and 58 
    FR 68130, December 23, 1993; Snyder General Corporation, 56 FR 54960, 
    September 9, 1991; Goodman Manufacturing Corporation, 56 FR 51713, 
    October 15, 1991, 57 FR 27970, June 23, 1992 and 59 FR 12586, March 17, 
    1994; The Ducane Company Inc., 56 FR 63943, December 6, 1991, 57 FR 
    10163, March 24, 1992, and 58 FR 68134, December 23, 1993; Armstrong 
    Air Conditioning, Inc., 57 FR 899, January 9, 1992, 57 FR 10160, March 
    24, 1992, 57 FR 10161, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 39193, August 28, 1992, 57 
    FR 54230, November 17, 1992, and 59 FR 30575, June 14, 1994; Thermo 
    Products, Inc., 57 FR 903, January 9, 1992; Consolidated Industries 
    Corporation, 57 FR 22220, May 27, 1992; Evcon Industries, Inc., 57 FR 
    47847, October 20, 1992, and 59 FR 46968, September 13, 1994; Bard 
    Manufacturing Company, 57 FR 53733, November 12, 1992, and 59 FR 30578, 
    June 14, 1994; and York International Corporation, 59 FR 46969, 
    September 13, 1994, and 60 FR 100, January 3, 1995. Thus, it appears 
    likely that the Petition for Waiver will be granted for blower time 
    delay.
        In those instances where the likely success of the Petition for 
    Waiver has been demonstrated based upon DOE having granted a waiver for 
    a similar product design, it is in the public interest to have similar 
    products tested and rated for energy consumption on a comparable basis.
        Therefore, based on the above, DOE is granting Trane an Interim 
    Waiver for its TUD-C/AUD-C, TDD-C/ADD-C, TUD-R/AUD-R, TDD-R/ADD-R, TUD-
    R-V/AUD-R-V, TDD-R-V/ADD-R-V, TUY-R-V/AUY-R-V, TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V, and 
    TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V central furnaces. Pursuant to paragraph (e) of 
    
    [[Page 53356]]
    Section 430.27 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 430, the 
    following letter granting the Application for Interim Waiver to Trane 
    was issued.
        Trane's Petition for Waiver requested DOE to grant relief from the 
    DOE furnace test procedure relating to the blower time delay 
    specification. Trane seeks to test using a blower delay time of 45 
    seconds for its TUD-C/AUD-C, TDD-C/ADD-C, TUD-R/AUD-R, TDD-R/ADD-R, 
    TUD-R-V/AUD-R-V, TDD-R-V/ADD-R-V, TUY-R-V/AUY-R-V, TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V, and 
    TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V central furnaces instead of the specified 1.5-minute 
    delay between burner on-time and blower on-time. Pursuant to paragraph 
    (b) of 10 CFR Part 430.27, DOE is hereby publishing the ``Petition for 
    Waiver'' in its entirety. The petition contains no confidential 
    information. The Department solicits comments, data, and information 
    respecting the petition.
    
        Issued in Washington, DC, September 28, 1995.
    Christine A. Ervin,
    Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
    Department of Energy,
    Washington, DC,
    September 28, 1995.
    
    Mr. Hongsik Ahn,
    Sr. Principal Engineer, The Trane Company, Trenton, NJ 08619.
    
        Dear Mr. Ahn: This is in response to your August 11, 1995, 
    Application for Interim Waiver and Petition for Waiver from the 
    Department of Energy (DOE or Department) test procedure regarding 
    blower time delay for The Trane Company (Trane) TUD-C/AUD-C, TDD-C/
    ADD-C, TUD-R/AUD-R, TDD-R/ADD-R, TUD-R-V/AUD-R-V, TDD-R-V/ADD-R-V, 
    TUY-R-V/AUY-R-V, and TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V central furnaces.
        Previous waivers for this type of timed blower delay control 
    have been granted by DOE to Coleman Company, 50 FR 2710, January 18, 
    1985; Magic Chef Company, 50 FR 41553, October 11, 1985; Rheem 
    Manufacturing Company, 53 FR 48574, December 1, 1988, 56 FR 2920, 
    January 25, 1991, 57 FR 10166, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 34560, August 
    5, 1992, 59 FR 30577, June 14, 1994, and 59 FR 55470, November 7, 
    1994; Trane Company, 54 FR 19226, May 4, 1989, 56 FR 6021, February 
    14, 1991, 57 FR 10167, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 22222, May 27, 1992, 
    and 58 FR 68138, December 23, 1993; Lennox Industries, 55 FR 50224, 
    December 5, 1990, 57 FR 49700, November 3, 1992, 58 FR 68136, 
    December 23, 1993, and 58 FR 68137, December 23, 1993; Inter-City 
    Products Corporation, 55 FR 51487, December 14, 1990, and 56 FR 
    63945, December 6, 1991; DMO Industries, 56 FR 4622, February 5, 
    1991, and 59 FR 30579, June 14, 1994; Heil-Quaker Corporation, 56 FR 
    6019, February 14, 1991; Carrier Corporation, 56 FR 6018, February 
    14, 1991, 57 FR 38830, August 27, 1992, 58 FR 68131, December 23, 
    1993, 58 FR 68133, December 23, 1993 and 59 FR 14394, March 28, 
    1994; Amana Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR 27958, June 18, 1991, 56 FR 
    63940, December 6, 1991, 57 FR 23392, June 3, 1992, and 58 FR 68130, 
    December 23, 1993; Snyder General Corporation, 56 FR 54960, 
    September 9, 1991; Goodman Manufacturing Corporation, 56 FR 51713, 
    October 15, 1991, 57 FR 27970, June 23, 1992 and 59 FR 12586, March 
    17, 1994; The Ducane Company Inc., 56 FR 63943, December 6, 1991, 57 
    FR 10163, March 24, 1992, and 58 FR 68134, December 23, 1993; 
    Armstrong Air Conditioning, Inc., 57 FR 899, January 9, 1992, 57 FR 
    10160, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 10161, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 39193, 
    August 28, 1992, 57 FR 54230, November 17, 1992, and 59 FR 30575, 
    June 14, 1994; Thermo Products, Inc., 57 FR 903, January 9, 1992; 
    Consolidated Industries Corporation, 57 FR 22220, May 27, 1992; 
    Evcon Industries, Inc., 57 FR 47847, October 20, 1992, and 59 FR 
    46968, September 13, 1994; Bard Manufacturing Company, 57 FR 53733, 
    November 12, 1992, and 59 FR 30578, June 14, 1994; and York 
    International Corporation, 59 FR 46969, September 13, 1994, and 60 
    FR 100, January 3, 1995. Thus, it appears likely that the Petition 
    for Waiver will be granted for blower time delay.
        Trane's Application for Interim Waiver does not provide 
    sufficient information to evaluate what, if any, economic impact or 
    competitive disadvantage Trane will likely experience absent a 
    favorable determination on its application.
        However, in those instances where the likely success of the 
    Petition for Waiver has been demonstrated, based upon DOE having 
    granted a waiver for a similar product design, it is in the public 
    interest to have similar products tested and rated for energy 
    consumption on a comparable basis.
        Therefore, Trane's Application for an Interim Waiver from the 
    DOE test procedure for its TUD-C/AUD-C, TDD-C/ADD-C, TUD-R/AUD-R, 
    TDD-R/ADD-R, TUD-R-V/AUD-R-V, TDD-R-V/ADD-R-V, TUY-R-V/AUY-R-V, and 
    TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V central furnaces regarding blower time delay is 
    granted.
        Trane shall be permitted to test its TUD-C/AUD-C, TDD-C/ADD-C, 
    TUD-R/AUD-R, TDD-R/ADD-R, TUD-R-V/AUD-R-V, TDD-R-V/ADD-R-V, TUY-R-V/
    AUY-R-V, and TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V central furnaces on the basis of the 
    test procedures specified in 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix N, 
    with the modification set forth below:
        (i) Section 3.0 in Appendix N is deleted and replaced with the 
    following paragraph:
        3.0  Test Procedure. Testing and measurements shall be as 
    specified in Section 9 in ANSI/ASHRAE 103-82 with the exception of 
    Sections 9.2.2, 9.3.1, and 9.3.2, and the inclusion of the following 
    additional procedures:
        (ii) Add a new paragraph 3.10 in Appendix N as follows:
        3.10  Gas- and Oil-Fueled Central Furnaces. After equilibrium 
    conditions are achieved following the cool-down test and the 
    required measurements performed, turn on the furnace and measure the 
    flue gas temperature, using the thermocouple grid described above, 
    at 0.5 and 2.5 minutes after the main burner(s) comes on. After the 
    burner start-up, delay the blower start-up by 1.5 minutes (t-) 
    unless: (1) the furnace employs a single motor to drive the power 
    burner and the indoor air circulation blower, in which case the 
    burner and blower shall be started together; or (2) the furnace is 
    designed to operate using an unvarying delay time that is other than 
    1.5 minutes, in which case the fan control shall be permitted to 
    start the blower; or (3) the delay time results in the activation of 
    a temperature safety device which shuts off the burner, in which 
    case the fan control shall be permitted to start the blower. In the 
    latter case, if the fan control is adjustable, set it to start the 
    blower at the highest temperature. If the fan control is permitted 
    to start the blower, measure time delay (t-) using a stop watch. 
    Record the measured temperatures. During the heat-up test for oil-
    fueled furnaces, maintain the draft in the flue pipe within 
    0.01 inch of water column of the manufacturer's 
    recommended on-period draft.
        This Interim Waiver is based upon the presumed validity of 
    statements and all allegations submitted by the company. This 
    Interim Waiver may be removed or modified at any time upon a 
    determination that the factual basis underlying the application is 
    incorrect.
        The Interim Waiver shall remain in effect for a period of 180 
    days or until DOE acts on the Petition for Waiver, whichever is 
    sooner, and may be extended for an additional 180-day period, if 
    necessary.
        The Department is publishing in the Federal Register the 
    Petition for Waiver in its entirely. The Petition contains no 
    confidential information. The Department is soliciting comments, 
    data, and information respecting the Petition.
        Sincerely,
    Christine A. Ervin,
    Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
    
    August 11, 1995.
    
    Hon. Christine Ervin,
    Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of DOE, 
    1000 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20585.
    
        Dear Hon. Ervin: This is to submit an Application for Interim 
    Waiver and Petition for Waiver from the Department of Energy (DOE) 
    test procedure, prescribed in 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix N 
    for furnace products. The Waiver is regarding blower on-time delay 
    on behalf of The Trane Co./American Standard Inc., in accordance 
    with Title 10 CFR, Part 430.27. In addition to the central heating 
    furnace series, to which you have granted a waiver to use 45 seconds 
    blower on-time delay in lieu of 1.5 minute, as specified in the test 
    procedures, we now have new furnace series which also require the 
    use of 45 seconds time delay instead of 1.5 minutes. They are: TUD-
    C/AUD-C, TDD-C/ADD-C, TUD-R/AUD-R, TDD-R/ADD-R, TUD-R-V/AUD-R-V, 
    TDD-R-V/ADD-R-V, TUY-R-Y/AUY-R-V, and TDY-R-V/ADY-R-V.
        The above furnaces are equipped with a fan on-time control with 
    a fixed time of 45 seconds. The current DOE test procedures do not 
    credit Trane/American Standard for additional energy savings that 
    are realized 
    
    [[Page 53357]]
    when the shorter blower on-time 45 second is utilized. Test data for 
    each model series indicates an average of 1% AFUE increase when the 
    45 second on-time delay is used. Copies of confidential test data 
    supporting these energy savings will be forwarded to you upon 
    request.
        Trane/American Standard Inc. is confident that this petition for 
    Waiver will be granted, and therefore, requests an Interim Waiver 
    until the forthcoming final rule.
        To this data, there are numerous central forced air furnace 
    manufacturers to which similar waivers have been granted. Also the 
    proposed ASHRAE 103.93 test standards under consideration by DOE 
    covers the test requirement for fan on-time delay related to the 
    Petition for Waiver.
        Manufacturers that domestically market similar products have 
    been sent a copy of the Petition and Application for Interim Waiver.
        For your reference, attached is a copy of the letter from James 
    T. VerShaw, dated August 27, 1993, and the letter from Mr. Frank M. 
    Stewart, Jr., with which the previous application for an Interim 
    Waiver was granted.
        Sincerely,
    Hongsik Ahn,
    Sr. Principal Engineer HA/nh Enclosures.
    
    August 27, 1993.
    
    Assistant Secretary, Conservation and Renewable Resources,
    United States Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave. SW., 
    Washington, D.C. 20585.
        Gentlemen: This is a Petition for Waiver and Application for 
    Interim Waiver submitted pursuant to Title 10 CFR, part 430.27. 
    Waiver is requested from the furnace test procedure found in 
    appendix N to Subpart B of Part 430.
        The current procedure requires a 1.5 minute delay between burner 
    and supply air blower startup. Trane is requesting the use of 45 
    seconds instead of 1.5 minutes when testing the following central 
    furnace families incorporating a timed fan control with a fixed time 
    of 45 seconds: TUC-C/AUC-A, TDC-C/ADC-C, TUX-C/AUX-C, TDX-C/ADX-C, 
    TUE-A, TDE-A, FUA-A, and FCA-A. The current procedure does not 
    credit Trane for additional energy savings that are realized when a 
    shorter blower on time is utilized. Test data for each model series 
    indicates an average of 1% AFUE increase when a 45 second timed on 
    delay is used. Copies of confidential test data confirming these 
    energy savings will be forwarded to you upon request.
        Trane is confident that this petition for Waiver will be 
    granted, and therefore, requests an Interim Waiver until the final 
    ruling is made. Similar waivers have been granted to Evcon, Rheem 
    Manufacturing, Carrier, Inter-City Products, and Lennox Industries. 
    Also, the proposed ASHRAE 103-88 currently under consideration by 
    DOE contains the coverage requested in the Petition for Waiver.
        Manufacturers that domestically market similar products have 
    been sent a copy of the Petition for Waiver and Application for 
    Interim Waiver.
        Sincerely,
    James T. VerShaw,
    Manager, Design and Technology.
    
    Department of Energy,
    Washington, DC,
    October 1, 1993.
    Mr. James T. Ver Shaw,
    Manager, Design and Technology, The Trane Company, 2231 East State 
    Street, Trenton, NJ 08619.
        Dear Mr. Ver Shaw: This is in response to your August 27, 1993, 
    Application for Interim Waiver and Petition for Waiver from the 
    Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure regarding blower time 
    delay for The Trane Company (Trane) TUC-C/AUC-A, TDC-C/ADC-A, TUX-C/
    AUX-C, TDX-C/ADX-C, TUE-A, TDE-A, FUA-A, and FCA-A central furnaces.
        Previous waivers for this type of timed blower delay control 
    have been granted by DOE to Coleman Company, 50 FR 2710, January 18, 
    1985; Magic Chef Company, 50 FR 41553, October 11, 1985; Rheem 
    Manufacturing Company, 53 FR 48574, December 1, 1988, 56 FR 2920, 
    January 25, 1991, 57 FR 10166, March 24, 1992, and 57 FR 34560, 
    August 5, 1992; Trane Company, 54 FR 19226, May 4, 1989, 56 FR 6021, 
    February 14, 1991, 57 FR 10167, March 24, 1992, and 57 FR 22222, May 
    27, 1992; Lennox Industries, 55 FR 50224, December 5, 1990, and 57 
    FR 49700, November 3, 1992; Inter-City Products Corporation, 55 FR 
    51487, December 14, 1990, and 56 FR 63945, December 6, 1991; DMO 
    Industries, 56 FR 4622, February 5, 1991; Heil-Quaker Corporation, 
    56 FR 6019, February 14, 1991; Carrier Corporation, 56 FR 6018, 
    February 14, 1991, and 57 FR 38830, August 27, 1992; Amana 
    Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR 27958, June 18, 1991, 56 FR 63940, 
    December 6, 1991, and 57 FR 23392, June 3, 1992; Snyder General 
    Corporation, 56 FR 54960, September 9, 1991; Goodman Manufacturing 
    Corporation, 56 FR 51713, October 15, 1991, and 57 FR 27970, June 
    23, 1992; the Ducane Company Inc., 56 FR 63943, December 6, 1991, 
    and 57 FR 10163, March 24, 1992; Armstrong Air Conditioning, Inc., 
    57 FR 899, January 9, 1992, 57 FR 10160, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 
    10161, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 39193, August 28, 1992, and 57 FR 
    54230, November 17, 1992; Thermo Products, Inc., 57 FR 903, January 
    9, 1992; Consolidated Industries Corporation, 57 FR 22220, May 27, 
    1992; Evcon Industries, Inc., 57 FR 47847, October 20, 1992; and 
    Bard Manufacturing Company, 57 FR 53733, November 12, 1992. Thus it 
    appears likely that the Petition for Waiver will be granted for 
    blower time delay.
        Trane's Application for Interim Waiver does not provide 
    sufficient information to evaluate what, if any, economic impact or 
    competitive disadvantage Trane will likely experience absent a 
    favorable determination on its application. However, in those 
    instances where the likely success of the Petition for Waiver has 
    been demonstrated, based upon DOE having granted a waiver for a 
    similar product design, it is in the public interest to have similar 
    products tested and rated for energy consumption on a comparable 
    basis.
        Therefore, Trane's Application for an Interim Waiver from the 
    DOE test procedure for its TUC-C/AUC-A, TDC-C/ADC-C, TUX-C/AUX-C, 
    TDX-C/ADX-C, TUE-A, TDE-A, FUA-A, and FCA-A central furnaces 
    regarding blower time delay is granted.
        Trane shall be permitted to test its TUC-C/AUC-A, TDC-C/ADC-C, 
    TUX-C/AUX-C, TDX-C/ADX-C, TUE-A, FUA-A, and FCA-A central furnaces 
    on the basis of the test procedures specified in 10 CFR Part 430, 
    Subpart B, Appendix N, with the modification set forth below:
        (i) Section 3.0 in Appendix N is deleted and replaced with the 
    following paragraph:
        3.0  Test Procedure. Testing and measurements shall be as 
    specified in Section 9 in ANSI/ASHRAE 103-82 with the exception of 
    Sections 9.2.2, 9.3.1, and 9.3.2, and the inclusion of the following 
    additional procedures:
        (ii)  Add a new paragraph 3.10 in Appendix N as follows:
        3.10  Gas- and Oil-Fueled Central Furnaces. After equilibrium 
    conditions are achieved following the cool-down test and the 
    required measurements performed, turn on the furnace and measure the 
    flue gas temperature, using the thermocouple grid described above, 
    at 0.5 and 2.5 minutes after the main burner(s) comes on. After the 
    burner start-up, delay the blower start-up by 1.5 minutes (t-) 
    unless: (1) the furnace employs a single motor to drive the power 
    burner and the indoor air circulation blower, in which case the 
    burner and blower shall be started together; or (2) the furnace is 
    designed to operate using an unvarying delay time that is other than 
    1.5 minutes, in which case the fan control shall be permitted to 
    start the blower; or (3) the delay time results in the activation of 
    a temperature safety device which shuts off the burner, in which 
    case the fan control shall be permitted to start the blower. In the 
    latter case, if the fan control is adjustable, set it to start the 
    blower at the highest temperature. If the fan control is permitted 
    to start the blower, measure time delay (t-) using a stop watch. 
    Record the measured temperatures. During the heat-up test for oil-
    fueled furnaces, maintain the draft in the flue pipe within 
    0.01 inch of water column of the manufacturer's 
    recommended on-period draft.
        This Interim Waiver is based upon the presumed validity of 
    statements and all allegations submitted by the company. This 
    Interim Waiver may be removed or modified at any time upon a 
    determination that the factual basis underlying the application is 
    incorrect.
        The Interim Waiver shall remain in effect for a period of 180 
    days or until DOE acts on the Petition for Waiver, whichever is 
    sooner, and may be extended for an additional 180-day period, if 
    necessary.
    
        Sincerely,
    Frank M. Stewart, Jr.,
    Acting Assistant Secretary Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
    [FR Doc. 95-25323 Filed 10-12-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
    
    

Document Information

Published:
10/13/1995
Department:
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
95-25323
Dates:
DOE will accept comments, data, and information not later than November 13, 1995.
Pages:
53354-53357 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Case No. F-080
PDF File:
95-25323.pdf