81 FR 94234 - Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating Equipment: Availability of Updated Analysis Results

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 247 (December 23, 2016)

Page Range94234-94238
FR Document2016-30300

In this NODA, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) presents its updated analysis used to convert the potential energy conservation standard levels the Department has considered for residential-duty commercial gas-fired storage water heaters from thermal efficiency and standby loss metrics to the uniform energy factor (UEF) metric, as required by a recent change in law. In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) for energy conservation standards for commercial water heating equipment published on May 30, 2016 (``May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR''), DOE analyzed these potential standard levels for residential-duty commercial gas-fired storage waters in terms of thermal efficiency and standby loss, and converted the levels to UEF using conversion factors that were proposed in a separate NOPR published on April 15, 2015 (``April 2015 conversion factor NOPR''). However, DOE subsequently published a supplemental NOPR (``August 2016 conversion factor SNOPR'') in the conversion factor rulemaking in response to new data on August 30, 2016, and recently issued a conversion factor final rule (``December 6, 2016 conversion factor final rule'') based upon the August 2016 conversion factor SNOPR, which finalized updated conversion factor equations. (See Docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007). This NODA presents the thermal efficiency and standby loss levels analyzed in the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR for residential-duty gas-fired storage water heaters in terms of UEF, using the recently updated conversion factors adopted in the December 6, 2016 conversion factor final rule.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 247 (Friday, December 23, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 94234-94238]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30300]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431

[Docket Number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0042]
RIN 1904-AD34


Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating 
Equipment: Availability of Updated Analysis Results

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of data availability (NODA).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this NODA, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) presents its 
updated analysis used to convert the potential energy conservation 
standard levels the Department has considered for residential-duty 
commercial gas-fired storage water heaters from thermal efficiency and 
standby loss metrics to the uniform energy factor (UEF) metric, as 
required by a recent change in law. In a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NOPR) for energy conservation standards for commercial water heating 
equipment published on May 30, 2016 (``May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR''), DOE 
analyzed these potential standard levels for residential-duty 
commercial gas-fired storage waters in terms of thermal efficiency and 
standby loss, and converted the levels to UEF using conversion factors 
that were proposed in a separate NOPR published on April 15, 2015 
(``April 2015 conversion factor NOPR''). However, DOE subsequently 
published a supplemental NOPR (``August 2016 conversion factor SNOPR'') 
in the conversion factor rulemaking in response to new data on August 
30, 2016, and recently issued a conversion factor final rule 
(``December

[[Page 94235]]

6, 2016 conversion factor final rule'') based upon the August 2016 
conversion factor SNOPR, which finalized updated conversion factor 
equations. (See Docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007). This NODA presents the 
thermal efficiency and standby loss levels analyzed in the May 2016 CWH 
ECS NOPR for residential-duty gas-fired storage water heaters in terms 
of UEF, using the recently updated conversion factors adopted in the 
December 6, 2016 conversion factor final rule.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
notice of data availability (NODA) no later than January 9, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Instructions: Any comments submitted must identify the NODA 
for commercial water heating equipment, and provide docket number EERE-
2014-BT-STD-0042 and/or regulatory information number (RIN) number 
1904-AD34. Comments may be submitted using any of the following 
methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    (2) Email: [email protected]. Include the 
docket number and/or RIN in the subject line of the message.
    (3) Postal Mail: Ms. Ashley Armstrong, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible, please submit all items on 
a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include 
printed copies.
    (4) Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Ashley Armstrong, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 
600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-6590. If possible, 
please submit all items on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to 
include printed copies.
    For further information on how to submit a comment, review other 
public comments and the docket, contact the Appliance and Equipment 
Standards Program staff at (202) 586-6636 or by email: 
[email protected].
    (5) Docket: The Docket Number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0042, is available 
for review at www.regulations.gov, including Federal Register notices, 
comments, and other supporting documents/materials. All documents in 
the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. However, not 
all documents listed in the index may be publicly available, such as 
information that is exempt from public disclosure.
    A link to the docket Web page can be found at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2014-BT-STD-0042. The 
www.regulations.gov Web page contains instructions on how to access all 
documents in the docket, including public comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ashley Armstrong, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-6590. Email: 
[email protected].
    Ms. Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-6111. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Authority and Background
II. Summary of the Updated Conversion Factor and Results
III. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Public Comment

I. Authority and Background

    Title III Part C \1\ of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 
1975 (``EPCA'' or, ``the Act''), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6311-
6317, as codified), added by Public Law 95-619, Title IV, Sec. 441(a), 
sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy 
efficiency and established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain 
Industrial Equipment, which includes the commercial water heating 
equipment that is the subject of this rulemaking.\2\ (42 U.S.C. 
6311(1)(K))
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    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon certification in the U.S. Code, 
Part C was re-designated Part A-1.
    \2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015 
(EEIA 2015), Public Law 114-11 (April 30, 2015).
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    Under EPCA, DOE's energy conservation program generally consists of 
four parts: (1) Testing; (2) labeling; (3) energy conservation 
standards; and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. The 
testing requirements consist of test procedures that manufacturers of 
covered products and equipment must use as the basis for certifying to 
DOE that their products and equipment comply with the applicable energy 
conservation standards adopted under EPCA, and for making other 
representations about the efficiency of those products. Similarly, DOE 
must use these test procedures to determine whether such products and 
certain equipment comply with any relevant standards promulgated under 
EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6314) The initial Federal energy conservation 
standards and test procedures for commercial storage water heaters, 
instantaneous water heaters, and unfired hot water storage tanks 
(collectively referred to as ``commercial water heating equipment'' or 
``CWH equipment'') were added to EPCA by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 
(EPACT 1992), Public Law 102-486. (42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) and 42 U.S.C. 
6314(a)(4)(A)) These initial CWH equipment standards corresponded to 
the efficiency levels and equipment classes contained in the American 
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers 
(ASHRAE) Standard 90.1-1989, in effect on October 24, 1992. The statute 
provided that if the efficiency levels in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 were 
amended after October 24, 1992, the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) 
must establish an amended uniform national standard at new minimum 
levels for each equipment type specified in ASHRAE Standard 90.1, 
unless DOE determines, through a rulemaking supported by clear and 
convincing evidence, that national standards more stringent than the 
new minimum levels would result in significant additional energy 
savings and be technologically feasible and economically justified. (42 
U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(A)(ii)(I)-(II)) The statute was subsequently amended 
to require DOE to review its standards for commercial water heating 
equipment (and other ``ASHRAE equipment'') every six years. (42 U.S.C. 
6313(a)(6)(C)) On January 12, 2001, DOE published a final rule for 
commercial water heating equipment that amended energy conservation 
standards by adopting the levels in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999 for all 
types of commercial water heating equipment, except for electric 
storage water heaters.\3\ 66 FR 3336. Most recently, on July 17, 2015, 
DOE published a final rule for commercial water heating equipment, in 
which DOE adopted the thermal efficiency level for oil-fired storage 
water heaters that was included in ASHRAE 90.1-2013. 80 FR 42614.
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    \3\ For electric storage water heaters, the standard in ASHRAE 
Standard 90.1-1999 was less stringent than the standard prescribed 
in EPCA and, consequently, would have increased energy consumption, 
so DOE maintained the standards for electric storage water heaters 
at the statutorily prescribed level.
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    On December 18, 2012, the American Energy Manufacturing Technical

[[Page 94236]]

Corrections Act (AEMTCA), Public Law 112-210, was signed into law. In 
relevant part, it amended EPCA to require that DOE publish a final rule 
establishing a uniform efficiency descriptor and accompanying test 
methods for consumer water heaters and certain commercial water heating 
equipment within one year of the enactment of AEMTCA. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(e)(5)(B)) The final rule must replace the energy factor (EF), 
thermal efficiency, and standby loss metrics with a uniform efficiency 
descriptor. (42 U.S.C. 6295(e)(5)(C)) On July 11, 2014, DOE published a 
final rule that fulfilled these requirements, establishing a uniform 
energy factor (UEF) as the uniform energy descriptor (``July 2014 final 
rule'').\4\ 79 FR 40542 (July 2014 final rule). AEMTCA requires that, 
beginning one year after the date of publication of DOE's final rule 
establishing the uniform descriptor (i.e., July 13, 2015), the 
efficiency standards for the consumer water heaters and residential-
duty commercial water heaters identified in the July 2014 final rule 
must be denominated according to the uniform efficiency descriptor 
established in that final rule (42 U.S.C. 6295(e)(5)(D)), and that DOE 
must develop a mathematical conversion for converting the measurement 
of efficiency from the test procedures and metrics in effect at that 
time to the uniform efficiency descriptor. (42 U.S.C. 6295(e)(5)(E)(i))
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    \4\ The uniform efficiency descriptor and accompanying test 
procedure apply to commercial water heating equipment with 
residential applications defined in the July 2014 final rule as a 
``residential-duty commercial water heater.'' Specifically, in the 
July 2014 final rule, DOE adopted a definition for ``residential-
duty commercial water heater'' that included seven classes: Gas-
fired storage, oil-fired storage, electric storage, heat pump with 
storage, gas-fired instantaneous, electric instantaneous, and oil-
fired instantaneous. 79 FR 40542, 40586. In a subsequent CWH 
equipment test procedure final rule published on November 10, 2016, 
DOE revised the definition by removing four classes; therefore, the 
revised definition for ``residential-duty commercial water heater'' 
includes three classes: Gas-fired storage, oil-fired storage, and 
electric instantaneous. 81 FR 79261, 79289.
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    Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(e)(5)(E)(ii) and (iii), the conversion 
factor must not affect the minimum efficiency requirements for covered 
water heaters, including residential-duty commercial water heaters. 
Furthermore, such conversions must not lead to a change in measured 
energy efficiency for covered residential and residential-duty 
commercial water heaters manufactured and tested prior to the final 
rule establishing the uniform efficiency descriptor. Id. EPCA also 
contains what is known as an ``anti-backsliding'' provision, which 
prevents the Secretary from prescribing any amended standard that 
either increases the maximum allowable energy use or decreases the 
minimum required energy efficiency of a covered product. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(1); 6313(a)(6)(B)(iii)(I)) In the December 6, 2016 conversion 
factor final rule, DOE's methodology for translating the standards 
ensures equivalent stringency between the then-existing standards (in 
terms of EF, thermal efficiency and standby loss metrics) and the 
updated standards (in terms of UEF). (See Docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007)
    DOE initially presented proposals for establishing mathematical 
conversion factors for residential-duty commercial water heaters in a 
NOPR published on April 14, 2015 (``April 2015 conversion factor 
NOPR'') to be used to convert thermal efficiency and standby loss 
represented values to UEF represented values for residential-duty 
commercial water heaters. 80 FR 20116, 20143. DOE also proposed 
amendments to the minimum energy conservation standards for consumer 
water heaters and residential-duty commercial water heaters to 
translate the existing standards to the UEF metric without altering the 
stringency of the existing energy conservation standards. Id. at 20120. 
In a May 31, 2016 NOPR, DOE analyzed amended thermal efficiency and 
standby loss standards for residential-duty gas-fired storage water 
heaters, and used the conversion factors proposed in the April 2015 
conversion factor NOPR to convert the analyzed thermal efficiency and 
standby loss levels to UEF.\5\ (``May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR'') DOE also 
used these conversion factors to develop UEF standard equations 
(dependent on rated volume) corresponding to the thermal efficiency and 
standby loss levels selected for each trial standard level (TSL) 
analyzed. 81 FR 34440, 34477.
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    \5\ DOE initiated this rulemaking pursuant to EPCA's requirement 
that every 6 years, DOE must conduct an evaluation of its standards 
for CWH equipment and publish either a notice of determination that 
such standards do not need to be amended or a notice of proposed 
rulemaking, including proposed amended standards. (42 U.S.C. 
6313(a)(6)(C)(i))
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    Upon further analysis and review of the public comments received in 
response to the April 2015 conversion factor NOPR, DOE published a 
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on August 30, 2016 (``August 
2016 conversion factor SNOPR''). In the SNOPR, DOE proposed revised 
mathematical conversion factors, as well as updates to the energy 
conservation standards for residential-duty commercial water heaters 
denominated in UEF. 81 FR 59736, 59793-59794, 59798. On December 6, 
2016, DOE issued a final rule (``December 6, 2016 conversion factor 
final rule'') that adopted the mathematical conversion factors used to 
convert thermal efficiency and standby loss to UEF for residential-duty 
commercial water heaters that were proposed in the August 2016 
conversion factor SNOPR. DOE also adopted the energy conservation 
standards for residential-duty commercial water heaters that were 
proposed in the August 2016 conversion factor SNOPR and that translate 
the existing thermal efficiency and standby loss standards to UEF 
standards. (See Docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007) In this NODA, DOE has used 
the updated conversion factors adopted in the December 6, 2016 
conversion factor final rule to convert the thermal efficiency and 
standby loss levels analyzed in the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR (i.e., levels 
more stringent than the existing thermal efficiency and standby loss 
standards) to UEF levels.

II. Summary of the Updated Conversion Factor and Results

    The purpose of this NODA is to present the thermal efficiency and 
standby loss levels that were considered for residential-duty gas-fired 
commercial water heaters in the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR in terms of UEF 
using the recently updated conversion factors adopted in the December 
6, 2016 conversion factor final rule. In response to the May 2016 CWH 
ECS NOPR, DOE received feedback on the efficiency levels analyzed and 
the efficiency levels included in each TSL for residential-duty 
commercial gas-fired storage water heaters. DOE is considering this 
feedback, and will address the comments received in detail, along with 
any resulting changes to the analysis and relevant conclusions, in the 
forthcoming final rule. The NODA, however, does not reflect any change 
in the efficiency levels or TSLs considered in the May 2016 CWH ECS 
NOPR.
    The December 6, 2016 conversion factor final rule adopted 
conversion factors for residential-duty commercial water heaters for 
all four draw patterns: High, medium, low, and very small.\6\ In the 
following equations, New UEF is the converted UEF value; Et 
is the thermal

[[Page 94237]]

efficiency in fractional form (e.g., 0.80 instead of 80 percent); SL is 
the standby loss (Btu/h); P is input rate (Btu/h); F and G are 
coefficients as specified in Table 1 based on the applicable draw 
pattern; and UEFrd is a parameter for residential-duty 
commercial storage water heaters developed by DOE based on the water 
heater analysis model (WHAM) equation.\7\ The methodology and data used 
to develop these conversion factors are discussed in detail in the 
August 2016 conversion factor SNOPR. 81 FR 59750-59751, 59776-59778 
(August 30, 2016).
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    \6\ The term ``draw pattern'' refers to the duration, flow rate, 
and timing of hot water draws during the test. The July 2014 final 
rule adopted four different draw patterns--very small, low, medium, 
and high--based on the delivery capacity (i.e., first hour rating or 
maximum gallons per hour rating) of the model under test. 79 FR 
40542, 40550 (July 11, 2014). Because the UEF differs based on the 
draw pattern, separate conversion factors were established for each 
draw pattern.
    \7\ For more information see: http://aceee.org/files/proceedings/1998/data/papers/0114.PDF.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23DE16.003

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23DE16.004


   Table 1--Coefficients for the Analytical UEF Conversion Factor for
            Residential-Duty Commercial Storage Water Heaters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Draw pattern                         F           G
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very Small......................................    0.821429   0.0043520
Low.............................................    0.821429   0.0011450
Medium..........................................    0.821429   0.0007914
High............................................    0.821429   0.0005181
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The thermal efficiency and standby loss levels analyzed in the May 
2016 CWH ECS NOPR are shown in Table 2 (81 FR 34440, 34472 (May 31, 
2016)), and the corresponding updated UEF levels are shown in Table 3. 
The standby loss and UEF levels correspond to the representative 
equipment capacities analyzed for residential-duty commercial gas-fired 
storage water heaters--75 gallon rated storage volume and 76,000 Btu/h 
rated input. In Table 3, the UEF values correspond to the high draw 
pattern--DOE believes most, if not all, residential-duty gas-fired 
storage water heater models will fall into the high draw pattern bin. 
In the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR, DOE selected standby loss levels in Btu/
h, and translated these values to modified standby loss standard 
equations using standby loss reduction factors. As proposed in the May 
2016 CWH ECS NOPR and presented in this NODA, the standby loss 
reduction factor is a factor that is multiplied by the current standby 
loss equation. Because the standby loss reduction factor is a 
multiplicative factor that is applied to the existing standby loss 
equation (in lieu of independently changing the coefficients for the 
volume and input terms of the equation), the standby loss reduction 
factor preserves the dependence of the existing standby loss equation 
on rated input and storage volume. 81 FR 34440, 34476 (May 31, 2016).

    Table 2--Thermal Efficiency and Standby Loss Levels for Residential-Duty Gas-Fired Storage Water Heaters
                                      Analyzed in the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR
                           [75 Gallon rated storage volume, 76,000 Btu/h rated input]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Standby loss (Btu/h)
    Thermal efficiency level          Thermal    ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                  efficiency (%)      SL EL0          SL EL1         SL EL2 *        SL EL3 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Et EL0..........................              80            1048             836             811             707
Et EL1..........................              82            1022             816             791             690
Et EL2..........................              90             624             503  ..............  ..............
Et EL3..........................              95             624             503  ..............  ..............
Et EL4..........................              97             624             503  ..............  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Electromechanical flue dampers, which were analyzed in SL ELs 2-3, were not considered as a technology option
  for Er ELs 2-4 because these thermal efficiency levels can only be met by condensing water heaters. Flue
  dampers are not used with condensing water heaters because condensing water heaters include mechanical draft
  systems.
Note: EL stands for efficiency level, Et stands for thermal efficiency, and SL stands for standby loss.


Table 3--Updated UEF Levels Corresponding to Thermal Efficiency and Standby Loss Levels for Residential-Duty Gas-
                        Fired Storage Water Heaters Analyzed in the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR
                           [75 gallon rated storage volume, 76,000 Btu/h rated input]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Uniform Energy Factor *
    Thermal efficiency level          Thermal    ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                  efficiency (%)      SL EL0          SL EL1         SL EL2 **       SL EL3 **
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Et EL0..........................              80            0.59            0.63            0.63            0.65
Et EL1..........................              82            0.61            0.64            0.64            0.66
Et EL2..........................              90            0.73            0.76  ..............  ..............
Et EL3..........................              95            0.76            0.79  ..............  ..............
Et EL4..........................              97            0.77            0.80  ..............  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* UEF values were determined using the conversion factors for the high draw pattern adopted in the December 6,
  2016 conversion factor final rule. (See Docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007)
** Electromechanical flue dampers, which were analyzed in SL ELs 2-3, were not considered as a technology option
  for Er ELs 2-4 because these thermal efficiency levels can only be met by condensing water heaters. Flue
  dampers are not used with condensing water heaters because condensing water heaters include mechanical draft
  systems.

[[Page 94238]]

 
Note: EL stands for efficiency level, Et stands for thermal efficiency, and SL stands for standby loss.

    The energy conservation standards for residential-duty commercial 
water heaters adopted in the December 6, 2016 conversion factor final 
rule (i.e., denominated in UEF and translated from the existing thermal 
efficiency and standby loss standards) are linear equations dependent 
on rated volume. Therefore, the converted UEF standard equations for 
residential-duty gas-fired storage water heaters presented in this NODA 
are consistent with this equation format. DOE based its methodology for 
developing UEF standard equations for more-stringent thermal efficiency 
and standby loss levels on the ``representative model'' method used for 
determining the converted standards equations in terms of UEF in the 
December 6, 2016 conversion factor final rule, as outlined below. (See 
Docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007)
    DOE developed UEF standard equations corresponding to each 
combination of thermal efficiency and standby loss levels that DOE 
selected in the TSLs analyzed in the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR. DOE 
converted the thermal efficiency level and standby loss value to UEF 
for each identified rated volume on the market and for each draw 
pattern using the conversion factors adopted in the December 6, 2016 
conversion factor final rule. (See Docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007) To 
develop the UEF standard equation for each draw pattern and TSL, DOE 
used a linear regression between volume and UEF (see the December 6, 
2016 conversion factor final rule for more details).
    Table 4 shows the thermal efficiency and standby loss levels 
included in each TSL in the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR for residential-duty 
commercial gas-fired storage water heaters. 81 FR 34440, 34504 (May 31, 
2016). Table 5 shows the updated UEF standard equations, dependent on 
rated volume, that were developed for each TSL and draw pattern using 
the conversion factors adopted in the December 6, 2016 conversion 
factor final rule. (See Docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007)

   Table 4--Trial Standard Levels From the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR for Residential-Duty Gas-Fired Storage Water
                                           Heaters by Efficiency Level
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Trial standard level
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         0               1               2               3               4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thermal Efficiency..............             80%             82%             90%             90%             97%
Standby Loss Reduction Factor...            1.00            0.77            0.48            0.48            0.48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Table 5--Updated UEF Equations for Trial Standard Levels From the May 2016 CWH ECS NOPR for Residential-Duty Gas-
                                           Fired Storage Water Heaters
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Draw Pattern *          TSL 0              TSL 1              TSL 2              TSL 3              TSL 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High..............  0.6597-(0.0009 x   0.7205-(0.0008 x   0.8107-(0.0008 x   0.8107-(0.0008 x   0.8675-(0.0009 x
                     Vr).               Vr).               Vr).               Vr).               Vr)
Medium............  0.6002-(0.0011 x   0.6749-(0.0010 x   0.7686-(0.0010 x   0.7686-(0.0010 x   0.8192-(0.0011 x
                     Vr).               Vr).               Vr).               Vr).               Vr)
Low...............  0.5362-(0.0012 x   0.6227-(0.0012 x   0.7192-(0.0012 x   0.7192-(0.0012 x   0.7631-(0.0013 x
                     Vr).               Vr).               Vr).               Vr).               Vr)
Very Small........  0.2674-(0.0009 x   0.3590-(0.0012 x   0.4459-(0.0014 x   0.4459-(0.0014 x   0.4622-(0.0015 x
                     Vr).               Vr).               Vr).               Vr).               Vr)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Draw pattern is a classification of hot water use of a consumer water heater or residential-duty commercial
  water heater, based upon the first-hour rating. The draw pattern is determined using the Uniform Test Method
  for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Water Heaters in appendix E to subpart B of 10 CFR Part 430.
Note: TSL 0 represents the baseline, and Vr is rated volume in gallons. UEF values were determined using the
  conversion factors adopted in the December 6, 2016 conversion factor final rule. (See Docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-
  0007).

III. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Public Comment

    DOE is interested in receiving comments on the conversion of the 
thermal efficiency and standby loss levels for residential-duty gas-
fired storage water heaters that were considered in the May 2016 CWH 
ECS NOPR to UEF levels and UEF standard equations using the conversion 
factors adopted by DOE in its December 6, 2016 final rule.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 7, 2016.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2016-30300 Filed 12-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P


Current View
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionNotice of data availability (NODA).
DatesDOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this notice of data availability (NODA) no later than January 9, 2017.
ContactMs. Ashley Armstrong, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-6590. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 94234 
RIN Number1904-AD34

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