Federal Register: November 19, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 223)
DOCID: FR Doc 01-28438
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Federal Trade Commission
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 305
NOTICE: RULES
ACTION: Appliances, consumer; energy consumption and water use information in labeling and advertising:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
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'')
EFFECTIVE DATES: February 19, 2002.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'') amends its Appliance Labeling Rule by publishing new ranges of comparability to be used on required labels for refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, and freezers. The Commission is also making minor, corrective amendments to the portions of Appendices H (Cooling Performance and Cost for Central Air Conditioners) and I (Heating Performance and Cost for Central Air Conditioners) to Part 305 that contain cost calculation formulas.
SUMMARY:
Residential energy sources; average unit energy costs,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The Appliance Labeling Rule was issued by
the Commission in 1979, 44 FR 66466 (Nov. 19, 1979), in response to a
directive in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975.\1\ The
Rule covers eight categories of major household appliances:
Refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers, freezers, dishwashers, clothes
washers, water heaters (this category includes storagetype water
heaters, gasfired instantaneous water heaters, and heat pump water
heaters), room air conditioners, furnaces (this category includes
boilers), and central air conditioners (this category includes heat
pumps). The Rule also covers pool heaters, 59 FR 49556 (Sept. 28,
1994), and contains requirements that pertain to fluorescent lamp
ballasts, 54 FR 28031 (July 5, 1989), certain plumbing products, 58 FR
54955 (Oct. 25, 1993), and certain lighting products, 59 FR 25176 (May 13, 1994, eff. May 15, 1995).
\1\ 42 U.S.C. 6294. The statute also requires the Department of
Energy (DOE) to develop test procedures that measure how much energy
the appliances use, and to determine the representative average cost
a consumer pays for the different types of energy available.
The Rule requires manufacturers of all covered appliances and pool heaters to disclose specific energy consumption or efficiency information (derived from the DOE test procedures) at the point of sale in the form of an ``EnergyGuide'' label and in catalogs. It also requires manufacturers of furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps either to provide fact sheets showing additional cost information, or to be listed in an industry directory showing the cost information for their products. The Rule requires manufacturers to include, on labels and fact sheets, an energy consumption or efficiency figure and a ``range of comparability.'' This range shows the highest and lowest energy consumption or efficiencies for all comparable appliance models so consumers can compare the energy consumption or efficiency of other models (perhaps competing brands) similar to the labeled model. The Rule also requires manufacturers to include, on labels for some products, a secondary energy usage disclosure in the form of an estimated annual operating cost based on a specified DOE national average cost for the fuel the appliance uses.
Section 305.8(b) of the Rule requires manufacturers, after filing
an initial report, to report certain information annually to the
Commission by specified dates for each product type.\2\ These reports,
which are to assist the Commission in preparing the ranges of
comparability, contain the estimated annual energy consumption or
energy efficiency ratings 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
consistent with these changes, under section 305.10 of the Rule, the
Commission will publish new ranges 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 will publish a
statement that the prior ranges remain in effect for the next year.
\2\ Reports for refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, and freezers are due August 1.
New Ranges of Comparability for Refrigerators, Refrigerator Freezers, and Freezers
The Commission has analyzed 2001 submissions of data for
refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, and freezers. Analysis of the
submission indicates that the ranges for these products have changed
significantly.\3\ Therefore, the Commission is publishing new ranges of
comparability for refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers, and freezers.
Today's publication of the new ranges for refrigerators, refrigerator
freezers, and freezers also means that, after February 19, 2002,
manufacturers of these products must calculate the operating cost
figures at the bottom of labels for the products using the 2001 cost for electricity (8.29 cents per kilowatthour).
\3\ New DOE energy conservation standards for these products
became effective on July 1, 2001. 62 FR 23102 (April 28, 1987). Minor Amendments to Appendices H and I
The Commission is also amending the cost calculation formulas
appearing in the Appendices (H and I) to part 305 that contain, for
central air conditioners and heat pumps, heating and cooling
performance costs and the ranges of comparability. These formulas must
be provided on fact sheets and in directories so consumers can
calculate their own costs of operation for the central air conditioners and heat pumps that they are considering purchasing.
[[Page 57868]]
This amendment corrects some of the figures in the formulas to reflect
the current Representative Average Unit Cost of Electricity8.29 cents
per kilowatthourthat was published by DOE on March 8, 2001 (66 FR
13917), and by the Commission on May 21, 2001 (66 FR 27856). Regulatory Flexibility Act
The provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act relating to a Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis (5 U.S.C. 603604) are not applicable to this proceeding because the amendments do not impose any new obligations on entities regulated by the Appliance Labeling Rule. Thus, the amendments will not have a ``significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.'' 5 U.S.C. 605. The Commission has concluded, therefore, that a regulatory flexibility analysis is not necessary, and certifies, under section 605 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), that the amendments announced today will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305
Advertising, Energy conservation, Household applicances, Labeling Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
1. The authority citation for part 305 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6249.
2. Appendix A1 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A1 to Part 305.Refrigerators With Automatic Defrost [Range Information]
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr.) in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 2.5................................. 318 338
2.5 to 4.4.................................... 319 385
4.5 to 6.4.................................... 383 436
6.5 to 8.4.................................... (*) (*)
8.5 to 10.4................................... 348 380
10.5 to 12.4.................................. (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4.................................. (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4.................................. 428 428
16.5 and over................................. 318 438
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
3. Appendix A2 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A2 to Part 305.Refrigerators With Automatic Defrost [Range Information]
Range of estimated annual
energy consumption (kWh/
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated yr.) volume in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 2.5............................... 280 320
2.5 to 4.4.................................. 292 345
4.5 to 6.4.................................. 296 364
6.5 to 8.4.................................. 387 387
8.5 to 10.4................................. 273 379
10.5 to 12.4................................ 286 286
12.5 to 14.4................................ (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4................................ (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4................................ (396) (438)
18.5 to 20.4................................ (*) (*)
20.5 to 22.4................................ (*) (*)
22.5 to 24.4................................ (*) (*)
24.5 to 26.4................................ (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4................................ (*) (*)
28.5 and over............................... (*) (*)
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
4. Appendix A3 to part 305 is revised to read as follows: [[Page 57869]]
Appendix A3 to Part 305RefrigeratorFreezers With Partial Automatic Defrost
Range Information
Range of estimated annual
energy consumption (kWh/
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated yr.) volume in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 10.5.............................. 285 434
10.5 to 12.4................................ 313 313
12.5 to 14.4................................ (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4................................ (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4................................ (*) (*)
18.5 to 20.4................................ (*) (*)
20.5 to 22.4................................ (*) (*)
22.5 to 24.4................................ (*) (*)
24.5 to 26.4................................ (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4................................ (*) (*)
28.5 and over............................... (*) (*)
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
5. Appendix A4 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A4 to Part 305RefrigeratorFreezers With Automatic Defrost
With TopMounted Freezer Without ThroughtheDoor Ice Service Range Information
Range of estimated annual
energy consumption (kWh/
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated yr.) volume in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 10.5.............................. 356 356
10.5 to 12.4................................ 408 409
12.5 to 14.4................................ 394 440
14.5 to 16.4................................ 372 460
16.5 to 18.4................................ 414 489
18.5 to 20.4................................ 416 509
20.5 to 22.4................................ 457 530
22.5 to 24.4................................ 499 558
24.5 to 26.4................................ 523 560
26.5 to 28.4................................ (*) (*)
28.5 and over............................... (*) (*)
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
6. Appendix A5 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A5 to Part 305RefrigeratorFreezers With Automatic Defrost
With SideMounted Freezer Without ThroughtheDoor Ice Service Range Information
Range of estimated annual
energy consumption (kWh/
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated yr.) volume in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 10.5.............................. (*) (*)
10.5 to 12.4................................ (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4................................ (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4................................ (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4................................ (*) (*)
18.5 to 20.4................................ 623 624
20.5 to 22.4................................ 568 640
22.5 to 24.4................................ 605 643
24.5 to 26.4................................ 591 659
26.5 to 28.4................................ (*) (*) [[Page 57870]]
28.5 and over............................... 614 679
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
7. Appendix A6 to part 305 is revised to read as follows: Appendix A6 to Part 305RefrigeratorFreezers With Automatic Defrost
With BottomMounted Freezer Without ThroughtheDoor Ice Service Range Information
Range of estimated annual
energy consumption (kWh/
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated yr.) volume in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 10.5.............................. 447 500
10.5 to 12.4................................ (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4................................ (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4................................ 544 544
16.5 to 18.4................................ 502 548
18.5 to 20.4................................ 564 564
20.5 to 22.4................................ 511 572
22.5 to 24.4................................ (*) (*)
24.5 to 26.4................................ (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4................................ (*) (*)
28.5 and over............................... (*) (*)
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
8. Appendix A7 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A7 to Part 305.Refrigeratorfreezers With Automatic Defrost
With Topmounted Freezer With Throughthedoor Ice Service [Range Information]
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr.) in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 10.5................................ (*) (*)
10.5 to 12.4.................................. 544 544
12.5 to 14.4.................................. 544 544
14.5 to 16.4.................................. (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4.................................. (*) (*)
18.5 to 20.4.................................. (*) (*)
20.5 to 22.4.................................. 555 555
22.5 to 24.4.................................. (*) (*)
24.5 to 26.4.................................. (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4.................................. (*) (*)
28.5 and over................................. (*) (*)
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effectively July 1, 2001.
[[Page 57871]]
Appendix A8 to Part 305.Refrigeratorfreezers With Automatic Defrost
With Sidemounted Freezer With Throughthedoor Ice Service [Range Information]
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh.yr.) in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 10.5................................ (*) (*)
10.5 to 12.4.................................. (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4.................................. (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4.................................. (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4.................................. (*) (*)
18.5 to 20.4.................................. 647 650
20.5 to 22.4.................................. 597 686
22.5 to 24.4.................................. 617 698
24.5 to 26.4.................................. 618 727
26.5 to 28.4.................................. 647 751
28.5 and over................................. 691 765
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
Cost Information for Appendices A1 Through A8
When the ranges of comparability in Appendices A1 through A8 are used on EnergyGuide labels for refrigerators and refrigerator freezers, the estimated annual operating cost disclosure appearing in the box at the bottom of the labels must be derived using the 2001 Representative Average Unit Cost for electricity (8.29 cents per kilowatthour), and the text below the box must identify the cost as such.
10. Appendix B1 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix B1 to Part 305.Upright Freezers With Manual Defrost [Range Information]
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr.) in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 5.5................................. (*) (*)
5.5 to 7.4.................................... 354 354
7.5 to 9.4.................................... 372 372
9.5 to 11.4................................... 392 392
11.5 to 13.4.................................. 409 410
13.5 to 15.4.................................. 442 442
15.5 to 17.4.................................. 477 482
17.5 to 19.4.................................. (*) (*)
19.5 to 21.4.................................. 512 527
21.5 to 23.4.................................. (*) (*)
23.5 to 25.4.................................. 580 580
25.5 to 27.4.................................. (*) (*)
27.5 to 29.4.................................. (*) (*)
29.5 and over................................. 1,748 1,748
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
11. Appendix B2 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix B2 to Part 305.Upright Freezers With Automatic Defrost [Range Information]
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr.) in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 5.5................................. 482 491
5.5 to 7.4.................................... (*) (*)
7.5 to 9.4.................................... (*) (*)
9.5 to 11.4................................... 564 564
11.5 to 13.4.................................. (*) (*)
13.5 to 15.4.................................. 621 655
15.5 to 17.4.................................. 682 683
17.5 to 19.4.................................. 742 742 [[Page 57872]]
19.5 to 21.4.................................. 745 763
21.5 to 23.4.................................. 796 796
23.5 to 25.4.................................. (*) (*)
25.5 to 27.4.................................. (*) (*)
27.5 to 29.4.................................. (*) (*)
29.5 and over................................. 2,003 2,033
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
12. Appendix B3 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix B3 to Part 305.Chest Freezers and All Other Freezers [Range Information]
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr.) in cubic feet
Low High
Less than 5.5................................. 166 245
5.5 to 7.4.................................... 276 280
7.5 to 9.4.................................... 294 294
9.5 to 11.4................................... 312 312
11.5 to 13.4.................................. 350 362
13.5 to 15.4.................................. 394 397
15.5 to 17.4.................................. (*) (*)
17.5 to 19.4.................................. 445 445
19.5 to 21.4.................................. 480 480
21.5 to 23.4.................................. 512 532
23.5 to 25.4.................................. 569 570
25.5 to 27.4.................................. (*) (*)
27.5 to 29.4.................................. (*) (*)
29.5 and over................................. (*) (*)
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
Cost Information for Appendices B1 Through B3
When the ranges of comparability in Appendices B1 through B3 are used on EnergyGuide labels for freezers, the estimated annual operating cost disclosure appearing in the box at the bottom of the labels must be derived using the 2001 Representative Average Unit Cost for electricity (8.29 cents per kilowatthour), and the text below the box must identify the cost as such.
13. In section 2 of Appendix H of Part 305, the formula is revised to read as follows in both places that it appears:
Appendix H to Part 305Cooling Performance and Cost for Central Air Conditioners
* * * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19NO01.002
* * * * *
14. In section 2 of Appendix I of Part 305, the ``NOTE'' following
the EnergyGuide label is amended by removing the figure ``8.31 cents''
and by adding, in its place, the figure ``8.29 cents''. In addition,
the formula in section 2 of Appendix I of Part 305 is revised to read as follows in both places that it appears:
Appendix I to Part 305Heating Performance and Cost For Central Air Conditioners
* * * * *
[[Page 57873]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19NO01.003
* * * * *
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 0128438 Filed 111601; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 675001M
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Hampton Newsome, Attorney, Division of Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580 (202326 2889); hnewsome@ftc.gov.