Notice of Petition for Waiver of National Comfort Products, Inc. (NCP) From the Department of Energy Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Test Procedure, and Notice of Grant of Interim Waiver

This notice announces receipt of and publishes a petition for waiver from NCP seeking an exemption from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the efficiency of central air conditioners and heat pumps. NCP seeks to use an alternate test procedure to address issues involved in testing certain basic models identified in its petition. According to NCP, the basic models of space constrained central air conditioner and heat pump units listed in its petition are designed and intended to be sold exclusively with NCP's NCPAH-A series or other blower-coil indoor units with electronically commutated (``ECM'') motors. These efficient blower-coil indoor units operate at much lower wattage than the default required by the DOE test procedure. As such, the current DOE test procedure does not result in representative ratings for these basic models. NCP seeks to use an alternate test procedure to test and rate their basic models paired only with air handler indoor units (i.e., blower coil indoor units). This notice also announces that DOE grants NCP an interim waiver from the DOE central air conditioners and heat pumps test procedure for its specified basic models, subject to use of the alternative test procedure as set forth in the Order. DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning NCP's petition and its suggested alternate test procedure.