Walk-In Coolers and Freezers

Alternative Efficiency Determination Methods and Alternate Rating Methods

Summary: DOE is conducting a rulemaking for Alternative Efficiency Determination Methods and Alternate Rating Methods. Findings will be included into various products test procedures.

Type of Regulation: Test Procedure

Rulemaking Link: N/A

Docket ID: EERE-2011-BT-TP-0024

UPDATES:

• Posted: October 6, 2014 — Notice of public meeting.

Comment Period Close Date: Closed

Where to Comment: EERE-2011-BT-TP-0024

AHRI Comments to Previous Stages of Rulemaking:

• 2014-10-27 — AHRI comment response to the published SNOPR
• 2014-03-24 — AHRI comment response to the published SNOPR
• 2013-11-21 — AHRI comment response to the published SNOPR
• 2012-06-05 — Public Meeting Transcript

Staff Contact: Laura Petrillo–Groh

Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-in Cooler and Freezer Refrigeration Systems

Summary: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 ("EPCA"), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including walk-in coolers and freezers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to periodically determine whether more-stringent, amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. DOE proposes prescribing energy conservation standards for certain categories of walk-in cooler and freezer refrigeration systems.

Type of Regulation: Energy conservation

Rulemaking Link: Rulemaking webpage

Docket ID: EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016

Updates:

• Posted: December 28, 2016 — Pre-publication of final rule
• Posted: September 9, 2016 — NOPR for energy conversion
• Posted: August 30, 2016 — Pre-publication of NOPR for energy conservation
• Posted: September 10, 2015 — Notice of meetings for WICF working group
• Posted: August 5, 2015 — Notice of intent and public meeting

Comment period close date: Closed

Where to comment: EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016

Staff contact: Laura Petrillo–Groh

Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 10 CFR 431.302 on or after January 1, 2009 must be assembled from components that meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 431.306.

Amended Standard

Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezer panels, doors, and refrigeration systems manufactured on or after three years after the date of publication in the Federal Register shall comply with the following standards:

*The meaning of the letters in this column is indicated in the columns to the left.

**Add represents the surface area of the display door; And represents the surface area of the non-display door.

*The meaning of the letters in this column is indicated in the columns to the left.

**Q represents the system gross capacity as calculated by the test procedure.

Links:

• Final rule; technical amendment, Federal Register, 80 FR 69838 (November 12, 2015)
• Final rule; correction, Federal Register, 80 FR 12078 (March 6, 2015)
• Technical Support Document
• Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015 contains notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.
• Final Rule, Federal Register, 79 FR 32049 (June 3, 2014)
• Technical Support Document
• Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015 contains notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.
• Final Rule: Standards, Federal Register, 74 FR 12058 (March 23, 2009)
• Technical Support Document
• Docket No. EERE-2009-BT-STD-0010 contains notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.

To submit questions related to the implementation of the current standard, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.

After a regulatory action has been completed, Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to identify the substantive changes between the draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and to identify those changes made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA.

• OIRA Compare Document

To determine compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedures specified at 10 CFR 431.304 for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. These are also in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

• Test Procedure Correction, Federal Register, 76 FR 33631 (June 9, 2011)
• Test Procedure Correction, Federal Register, 76 FR 31795 (June 2, 2011)
• Test Procedure Final Rule, Federal Register, 76 FR 21580 (April 15, 2011)
• Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-TP-0014 contains notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents for the test procedure rulemaking

On October 21, 2011, DOE published a notice clarifying the test procedure compliance date, as well as other matters.

• Compliance Date for the Final Rule: Test Procedures, Federal Register, 76 FR 65362 (October 21, 2011).
• Docket No. EERE-2011-BT-CE-0050 contains notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents for the compliance date rulemaking.

Amended Test Procedure:

DOE published a final rule regarding alternative efficiency determination methods and test procedures for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.

• Final Rule: Test Procedure, Federal Register, 79 FR 27387 (May 13, 2014)
• Docket No. EERE-2011-BT-TP-0024 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.

The May 2014 final rule revised and expanded DOE’s existing regulations governing the use of alternative efficiency determination methods (AEDMs) for covered WICF products as alternatives to testing for the purpose of certifying compliance. The final rule also amended the test procedures published in April 2011.

• Final Rule: Test Procedure, Federal Register, 81 FR 95758 (December 28, 2016)
• Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.

The December 2016 final rule modified the test procedure for Walk-in Coolers and Freezers (WICF), with the intention of improving the procedure’s clarity by updating related certification and enforcement provisions to address the performance-based energy conservation standards for walk-in cooler and freezer equipment, and establishing labeling requirements.

To submit questions related to the implementation of the WICF test procedure, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.