USA - Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Refrigeration Products

On December 23, 2019, the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") published a notice of proposed rulemaking (“NOPR”) to amend the test procedures for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and freezers, and miscellaneous refrigeration products (collectively “refrigeration products”).

That proposed rulemaking serves as the basis for this final rule. Specifically, the test procedure amendments adopted in this final rule incorporate by reference the most recent version of the referenced industry standard, provide additional specifications regarding test setup and test conduct, and make additional corrections to the test procedures. The amendments also adjust the energy conservation standards for these products to ensure that the change in test methodology does not:

Require manufacturers to increase the efficiency of already compliant products in order to meet the current energy conservation standard; or enable products that would not be compliant with the current energy conservation standards to meet the adjusted energy conservation standards.