Appliances, consumer, energy consumption and water use information in labeling and advertising: Comparability ranges— freezers, and freezers,

[Federal Register: December 2, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 231)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 66428-66431]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr02de98-11]

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 305

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'')

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. The Commission also announces that the ranges of comparability for central air conditioners and heat pumps, which were published on September 16, 1996 (61 FR 48620), will remain in effect until further notice. Finally, the Commission is amending the portions of Appendices H (Cooling Performance and Cost for Central Air Conditioners) and I (Heating Performance and Cost for

[[Page 66429]]

Central Air Conditioners) to Part 305 that contain cost calculation formulas. These amendments change the figures in the formulas to reflect the current Representative Average Unit Cost of Electricity that was published on December 8, 1997 (62 FR 64574), by the Department of Energy (``DOE'').

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 2, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Mills, Attorney, Division of Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580 (202-326-3035).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Appliance Labeling Rule (``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 refrigerator-freezers, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters (this category includes storage-type water heaters, 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)).

\1\ 42 U.S.C. 6294. The statute also requires 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 that manufacturers 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 requires that manufacturers also include, on labels for some products, a secondary energy usage disclosure in the form of an estimated annual operating cost 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 annually (by specified dates for each product type \2\) 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. Under Section 305.10 of the Rule, to keep the required information on labels consistent with these changes, the Commission publishes new ranges (but not more often than annually) 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 publishes a statement that the prior ranges remain in effect for the next year.

\2\ Reports for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers are due August 1. Reports for central air conditioners and heat pumps are due July 1.

New Ranges of Comparability for Refrigerators, Refrigerator- Freezers, and Freezers

The Commission has analyzed annual submissions of data for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. The submissions have resulted in new ranges of comparability figures for these products. In compiling these ranges of comparability, the Commission did not include the estimated annual energy consumption of models with energy consumption in excess of DOE's current energy conservation standards for this category, which became effective on January 1, 1993 (16 CFR 430.32(a) (1995)). After that date, became illegal to distribute in commerce products that exceed those standards. Because the standards have been in place for almost six years, the number of legally produced, but nonconforming, products still in the marketplace is likely to be small. Therefore, it is not appropriate to include those products in the ranges. The new ranges will supersede the current ranges for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, which were published on November 13, 1995 (60 FR 56945).

Changes Applicable to Disclosures for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

The 1995 data submission for central air conditioners and heat pumps has been completed, and the Commission has determined that the upper and lower limits of the ranges of comparability for these products, which were published on September 16, 1996 (61 FR 48620), have not changed by more than 15%. Therefore, the Commission is announcing that those ranges will remain in effect until further notice.

The Commission is amending in this Notice, however, 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. This amendment changes the figures in the formulas to reflect the current Representative Average Unit Cost of Electricity--8.42 cents per kilo watt-hour--that was published on December 8, 1997, by DOE (62 FR 64574) and by the Commissioner on December 29, 1997 (62 FR 67560).

Amendments

In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission amends Appendices A1 through A8, B1 through B3, H, and I of its Appliance Labeling Rule by publishing the following ranges of comparability for use in the labeling and catalog sales of refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers and the following amendments to the cost calculation formulas that manufacturers of central air conditioners and heat pumps must include on fact sheets and in directories, beginning March 2, 1999.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305

Advertising, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Labeling, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Accordingly, 16 CFR Part 305 is amended as follows:

PART 305--[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for Part 305 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6294.

2. Appendix A1 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

   [[Page 66430]]

   Appendix A1 to Part 305--Refrigerators With Automatic Defrost [Range Information]

   Range of estimated annual energy Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in consumption (kWh/ cubic feet

   yr.)

   Low High

   Less than 2.5......................................... 327 327 2.5 to 4.4............................................ 301 398 4.5 to 6.4............................................ 370 434 6.5 to 8.4............................................ 419 419 8.5 to 10.4........................................... 419 467 10.5 to 12.4.......................................... 391 454 12.5 to 14.4.......................................... (*) (*) 14.5 to 16.4.......................................... 588 588 16.5 and over......................................... 438 668

   * No data submitted for units meeting Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

3. Appendix A2 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

   Appendix A2 to Part 305--Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers With Manual Defrost [Range Information]

   Range of estimated annual energy Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in consumption (kWh/ cubic feet

   yr.)

   Low High

   Less than 2.5......................................... 256 307 2.5 to 4.4............................................ 301 358 4.5 to 6.4............................................ 268 377 6.5 to 8.4............................................ 378 405 8.5 to 10.4........................................... 343 430 10.5 to 12.4.......................................... 435 435 12.5 to 14.4.......................................... (*) (*) 14.5 to 16.4.......................................... (*) (*) 16.5 to 18.4.......................................... 438 438 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 Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

4. Appendix A3 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

   Appendix A3 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Partial Automatic Defrost [Range Information]

   Range of estimated annual energy Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in consumption 9kWh/ cubic feet

   yr.)

   Low High

   Less than 10.5........................................ 376 510 10.5 to 12.4.......................................... 454 538 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 Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

5. Appendix A4 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

   Appendix A4 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost With Top-Mounted Freezer Without Through-the-Door Ice Service [Range Information]

   Range of estimated annual energy Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in consumption (kWh/ cubic feet

   yr.)

   Low High

   Less than 10.5........................................ 427 525 10.5 to 12.4.......................................... 449 568 12.5 to 14.4.......................................... 496 624 14.5 to 16.4.......................................... 437 666 16.5 to 18.4.......................................... 518 697 18.5 to 20.4.......................................... 526 741 20.5 to 22.4.......................................... 559 767 22.5 to 24.4.......................................... 598 800 24.5 to 26.4.......................................... 609 825 26.5 to 28.4.......................................... (*) (*) 28.5 and over......................................... (*) (*)

   *No data submitted for units meeting Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

6. Appendix A5 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

   Appendix A5 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost With Side-Mounted Freezer Without Through-the-Door Ice Service [Range Information]

   Range of estimated annual energy Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in consumption (kWh/ cubic feet

   yr.)

   Low High

   Less than 10.5........................................ 452 525 10.5 to 12.4.......................................... 480 480 12.5 to 14.4.......................................... (*) (*) 14.5 to 16.4.......................................... (*) (*) 16.5 to 18.4.......................................... (*) (*) 18.5 to 20.4.......................................... 710 783 20.5 to 22.4.......................................... 685 825 22.5 to 24.4.......................................... 720 848 24.5 to 26.4.......................................... 776 875 26.5 to 28.4.......................................... (*) (*) 28.5 and over......................................... 911 950

   * No data submitted for units meeting Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

7. Appendix A6 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

   Appendix A6 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost

   With Bottom-Mounted Freezer Without Through-the-Door Ice Service [Range Information]

   Range of estimated annual energy Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in consumption (kWh/ cubic feet

   yr.)

   Low High

   Less than 10.5........................................ 463 463 10.5 to 12.4.......................................... (*) (*) 12.5 to 14.4.......................................... (*) (*) 14.5 to 16.4.......................................... 666 666 16.5 to 18.4.......................................... 706 709 18.5 to 20.4.......................................... 593 757 20.5 to 22.4.......................................... 524 789 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 Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

8. Appendix A7 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

   [[Page 66431]]

   Appendix A7 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost With Top-Mounted Freezer With Through-the-Door Ice Service [Range Information]

   Range of estimated annual energy Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in consumption (kWh/ cubic feet

   yr.)

   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.......................................... (*) (*) 20.5 to 22.4.......................................... 840 840 22.5 to 24.4.......................................... (*) (*) 24.5 to 26.4.......................................... 905 905 26.5 to 28.4.......................................... (*) (*) 28.5 and over......................................... (*) (*)

   * No data submitted for units meeting Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

9. Appendix A8 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:

   Appendix A8 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost With Side-Mounted Freezer With Through-the-Door Ice Service [Range Information]

   Range of estimated annual energy Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in consumption (kWh/ cubic feet

   yr.)

   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.......................................... 734 934 20.5 to 22.4.......................................... 714 967 22.5 to 24.4.......................................... 685 1000 24.5 to 26.4.......................................... 760 1042 26.5 to 28.4.......................................... 735 1080 28.5 and over......................................... 765 1144

   * No data submitted for units meeting Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

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 in consumption (kWh/ cubic feet

    yr.)

    Low High

    Less than 5.5......................................... 250 349 5.5 to 7.4............................................ (‹SUP›*) (‹SUP›*) 7.5 to 9.4............................................ 373 416 9.5 to 11.4........................................... 448 456 11.5 to 13.4.......................................... 468 474 13.5 to 15.4.......................................... 509 534 15.5 to 17.4.......................................... 562 565 17.5 to 19.4.......................................... (‹SUP›*) (‹SUP›*) 19.5 to 21.4.......................................... 615 627 21.5 to 23.4.......................................... (‹SUP›*) (‹SUP›*) 23.5 to 25.4.......................................... (‹SUP›*) (‹SUP›*) 25.5 to 27.4.......................................... (‹SUP›*) (‹SUP›*) 27.5 to 29.4.......................................... (‹SUP›*) (‹SUP›*) 29.5 and over......................................... 685 685

    (‹SUP›*) No date submitted for units meeting Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

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 in consumption (kWh/ cubic feet

    hr.)

    Low High

    Less than 5.5......................................... 504 516 5.5 to 7.4............................................ (*) (*) 7.5 to 9.4............................................ (*) (*) 9.5 to 11.4........................................... (*) (*) 11.5 to 13.4.......................................... (*) (*) 13.5 to 15.4.......................................... 728 774 15.5 to 17.4.......................................... 784 821 17.5 to 19.4.......................................... 876 878 19.5 to 21.4.......................................... 800 896 21.5 to 23.4.......................................... (*) (*) 23.5 to 25.4.......................................... (*) (*) 25.5 to 27.4.......................................... (*) (*) 27.5 to 29.4.......................................... (*) (*) 29.5 and over......................................... 687 687

    * No data submitted for units meeting Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

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 in consumption cubic feet

    (kWh.yr.)

    Low High

    Less than 5.5......................................... 212 260 5.5 to 7.4............................................ 291 293 7.5 to 9.4............................................ 322 322 9.5 to 11.4........................................... 347 349 11.5 to 13.4.......................................... 391 399 13.5 to 15.4.......................................... 434 441 15.5 to 17.4.......................................... (*) (*) 17.5 to 19.4.......................................... 493 493 19.5 to 21.4.......................................... 529 529 21.5 to 23.4.......................................... 552 588 23.5 to 15.4.......................................... 620 629 25.5 to 27.4.......................................... (*) (*) 27.5 to 29.4.......................................... (*) (*) 29.5 and over......................................... (*) (*)

    * No data submitted for units meeting Federal Energy Conservation Standards effective January 1, 1993.

    Appendix H--[Amended]

13. In section 2 of Appendix H or Part 305, the text and formulas are amended by removing the figure ``8.31 cents'' wherever it appears and by adding, in its place, the figure ``8.42 cents''. In addition, the text and formulas are amended by removing the figure ``12.47 cents'' wherever it appears and by adding, in its place, the figure ``112.64 cents''.

    Appendix I--[Amended]

14. In section 2 of Appendix I of Part 305, the text and formulas are amended by removing the figure ``8.31 cents'' wherever it appears and by adding, in its place, the figure ``8.42 cents''. In addition, the text and formulas are amended by removing the figure ``12.47 cents'' wherever it appears and by adding, in its place, the figure ``12.64 cents''.

    By direction of the Commission. Donald S. Clark, Secretary.

    [FR Doc. 98-32079Filed12-1-98; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 6750-01-M