Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Commercial Warm Air Furnaces
Key claim: The Energy Department is dropping the extra appendix B efficiency test for commercial warm air furnaces, so manufacturers only have to use the existing appendix A thermal-efficiency test.
Abstract
(Rule · Energy Department) The Department of Energy (“DOE” or “the Department”) is withdrawing the test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces adopted under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, specifically appendix B, “Uniform Test Method for Measurement of the Energy Efficiency of Commercial Warm Air Furnaces (Thermal Efficiency Two).” Upon reconsideration, DOE has determined that appendix B would have an uncertain increase in representativeness that does not outweigh the likely increase in burden. DOE has also determined that withdrawing the appendix B test procedure would be consistent with the proposed Process Rule, which states that for certain categories of equipment, including CWAFs, DOE will adopt the industry test procedure, as contemplated by EPCA, except in very limited circumstances. Commercial warm air furnaces will continue to be subject to the testing requirements of appendix A, “Uniform Test Method for Measurement of the Energy Efficiency of Commercial Warm Air Furnaces (Thermal Efficiency).”
Why this matters
Test procedures determine how manufacturers prove compliance with federal efficiency rules, and extra test methods add engineering and certification costs. By withdrawing appendix B, DOE eliminates a duplicative efficiency measurement for commercial warm air furnaces, simplifying compliance while leaving the thermal-efficiency metric in place as the sole federal benchmark.