Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers

On January 4, 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (January 2010 NOPR) to establish new test procedures for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers (WICF or walk- ins). On September 9, 2010, DOE issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (September 2010 SNOPR) to propose changes to the test procedures that it proposed in the NOPR. Those proposed rulemakings serve as the basis for today's action. DOE is issuing a final rule that establishes new test procedures for measuring the energy efficiency of certain walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer components including panels, doors, and refrigeration systems. These test procedures will be mandatory for product testing to demonstrate compliance with energy standards that DOE is establishing in a separate, but concurrent rulemaking, and for representations starting 180 days after publication. This final rule incorporates by reference industry test procedures that, along with calculations established in the rule, can be used to measure the energy consumption or performance characteristics of certain components of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. Additionally, the final rule clarifies the definitions of "Display door," "Display panel," "Door," "Envelope," "K- factor," "Panel," "Refrigerated," "Refrigeration system," "U- factor," "Automatic door opener/closer," "Core region," "Edge region," "Surface area," "Rating condition," and "Percent time off" as applicable to walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.