[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 184 (Friday, September 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23577]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 23, 1994]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 305
Rule Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and
Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required Under
the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (``Appliance Labeling Rule'')
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission amends its Appliance Labeling
Rule by publishing new ranges of comparability to be used on required
labels for storage-type water heaters and on required labels and in
required fact sheets (or directories) for furnaces and boilers.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 28, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Mills, Attorney, Division of
Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580 (202-326-
3035).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 324 of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA)\1\ requires the Federal Trade
Commission to consider labeling rules for the disclosure of estimated
annual energy cost or alternative energy consumption information for at
least thirteen categories of appliances. Storage-type water heaters,
furnaces, and boilers are included in those categories. The statute
also requires the Department of Energy (``DOE'') to develop test
procedures that measure how much energy the appliances use. In
addition, DOE is required to determine the representative average cost
a consumer pays for the different types of energy available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Pub. L. 94-163, 89 Stat. 871, 42 U.S.C. 6294 (Dec. 22, 1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On November 19, 1979, the Commission issued a final rule covering
seven of the thirteen appliance categories that were then covered by
DOE test procedures: refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, freezers,
dishwashers, water heaters, clothes washers, room air conditioners and
furnaces (this category includes boilers).\2\ The Commission has
extended the coverage of the Appliance Labeling Rule (``Rule'') four
times since it originally issued the Rule: in 1987 (central air
conditioners, heat pumps, and pulse combustion and condensing
furnaces);\3\ 1989 (fluorescent lamp ballasts);\4\ and, 1993 (certain
plumbing products\5\ and certain lighting products\6\). On July 1,
1994, the Commission amended the Rule to make certain improvements,
including making the label format more ``user-friendly,'' changing the
energy usage descriptors required on labels, and adopting new product
sub-categories for ranges of comparability purposes.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\44 FR 66466, 16 CFR Part 305 (Nov. 19, 1979). The Statement
of Basis and Purpose for the final Rule describes the reasons the
Commission declined to cover the other categories of covered
products. Id. at 66467-69.
\3\52 FR 46888 (Dec. 10, 1987).
\4\54 FR 28031 (July 5, 1989).
\5\58 FR 54955 (Oct. 25, 1993).
\6\59 FR 25176 (May 13, 1993).
\7\59 FR 34014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 305.8(b) of the Rule requires manufacturers, after filing
an initial report, to report annually by specified dates for each
product type.\8\ These reports, which are to assist the Commission in
preparing the ranges of comparability, contain the estimated annual
energy consumption or energy efficiency rating for the appliances
derived from tests performed pursuant to the DOE test procedures.
Because manufacturers regularly add new models to their lines, improve
existing models and drop others, the data base from which the ranges of
comparability are calculated is constantly changing. To keep the
required information in line with these changes, the Commission is
empowered, under Section 305.10 of the Rule, to publish new ranges (but
not more than annually) if an analysis of the new information indicates
that the upper or lower limits of the ranges have changed by more than
15%. Otherwise, the Commission must publish a statement that the prior
ranges remain in effect for the next year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\Reports for storage-type water heaters, furnaces, and boilers
are due May 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual submissions of data for storage-type water heaters,
furnaces, and boilers have been made and have been analyzed by the
Commission. These submissions of data were made by the affected
manufacturers, in conjunction with the Gas Appliance Manufacturers
Association (an industry trade association), in voluntary compliance
with the requirements for new energy usage descriptors and sub-
categories that were contained in the amendments published on July 1,
1994. These ranges will supersede the current ranges for these product
categories, which were published on September 13, 1991 (storage-type
water heaters)\9\ and March 1, 1990 (furnaces and boilers).\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\56 FR 46524.
\10\55 FR 7302.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission revises
Appendices D1-D3 and G1-G8 of its Appliance Labeling Rule by publishing
the following ranges of comparability for use in required disclosures
(including labeling) for storage-type water heaters, furnaces, and
boilers manufactured on or after December 28, 1994.
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305
Advertising, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Labeling,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Accordingly, 16 CFR Part 305 is amended as follows:
PART 305--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for Part 305 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6294.
2. Appendices D1-D3 to Part 305 are revised to read as follows:
Appendix D1 to Part 305--Storage-Type Water Heater--Gas
Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity Range of estimated annual energy
----------------------------- consumption (therms/yr. and gallons/yr.)
-------------------------------------------
Natural gas therms/ Propane gallons/yr.
First hour rating yr. ---------------------
----------------------
Low High Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 21................ (*) (*) (*) (*)
21 to 24.................... (*) (*) (*) (*)
25 to 29.................... (*) (*) (*) (*)
30 to 34.................... (*) (*) (*) (*)
35 to 40.................... (*) (*) (*) (*)
41 to 47.................... 242 263 265 284
48 to 55.................... 235 278 257 304
56 to 64.................... 238 273 262 299
65 to 74.................... 215 283 249 310
75 to 86.................... 220 288 266 317
87 to 99.................... 255 295 279 310
100 to 114.................. 268 300 294 329
115 to 131.................. 288 288 317 336
Over 131.................... 288 349 317 383
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted.
Appendix D2 to Part 305--Storage-Type Water Heater--Electric
Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity Range of
------------------------------------------------------- estimated annual
energy
consumption (kWh/
First hour rating yr.)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 21.......................................... 4672 4672
21 to 24.............................................. 4769 4769
25 to 29.............................................. 4879 4879
30 to 34.............................................. 4672 4939
35 to 40.............................................. 4575 4939
41 to 47.............................................. 4575 5109
48 to 55.............................................. 4624 5109
56 to 64.............................................. 4624 5109
65 to 74.............................................. 4624 5231
75 to 86.............................................. 4624 5352
87 to 99.............................................. 4624 5352
100 to 114............................................ 4672 5631
115 to 131............................................ 5109 5704
Over 131.............................................. (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*No data submitted.
Appendix D3 to Part 305--Storage-Type Water Heater--Oil
Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity Range of
------------------------------------------------------- estimated annual
energy
consumption
First hour rating (gallons/yr.)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 65.......................................... (*) (*)
65 to 74.............................................. (*) (*)
75 to 86.............................................. (*) (*)
87 to 99.............................................. (*) (*)
100 to 114............................................ 177 200
115 to 131............................................ 171 212
Over 131.............................................. 180 180
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*No data submitted.
3. Appendix G1 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table
to read as follows:
Appendix G1 to Part 305--Furnaces--Gas
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of annual
fuel utilization
efficiencies
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.) (AFUE's)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................ 78 96.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
4. Appendix G2 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table
to read as follows:
Appendix G2 to Part 305--Furnaces--Electric
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranges of annual
fuel utilization
efficiencies
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.) (AFUE's)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................ 100 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
5. Appendix G3 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table
to read as follows:
Appendix G3 to Part 305--Furnaces--Oil
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of annual
fuel utilization
efficiencies
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.) (AFUE's)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................ 78 86.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
6. Appendix G4 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table
to read as follows:
Appendix G4 to Part 305--Mobile Home Furnaces
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of annual
fuel utilization
efficiencies
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.) (AFUE's)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................ 75 83.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
7. Appendix G5 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table
to read as follows:
Appendix G5 to Part 305--Boilers--Gas (Except Steam)
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of annual
fuel utilization
efficiencies
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.) (AFUE's)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................ 80 90.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
8. Appendix G6 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table
to read as follows:
Appendix G6 to Part 305--Boilers--Gas (Steam)
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of annual
fuel utilization
efficiencies
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.) (AFUE's)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................ 75 83.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
9. Appendix G7 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table
to read as follows:
Appendix G7 to Part 305--Boilers--Oil
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of annual
fuel utilization
efficiencies
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.) (AFUE's)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................ 80 88.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
10. Appendix G8 to part 305 is amended by revising the first table
to read as follows:
Appendix G8 to Part 305--Boilers--Electric
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of annual
fuel utilization
efficiencies
Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr.) (AFUE's)
-----------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Capacities........................................ 100 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-23577 Filed 9-22-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M
