August ’22 at-a-glance … energy
DOE progresses review of energy conservation standards/test procedures
Although it is months behind the schedule announced in the Dec. 2021 Unified Agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is making progress on its commitment to review energy conservation standards and test procedures for automatic commercial ice makers, walk-in coolers/freezers and commercial refrigeration equipment. Here’s where each currently stand.
Automatic commercial ice makers | Amended test procedures | Comments accepted through Feb. 22 |
Energy conservation standards | NAFEM submitted comments June 7 | |
Walk-in coolers/freezers | Amended test procedures | Comments accepted through June 21 |
Energy conservation standards | NAFEM to submit comments by Aug. 29 deadline | |
Commercial refrigeration equipment | Amended test procedures | NAFEM to submit comments on both by deadline. NAFEM also requested that DOE include its CRE Engineering Spreadsheet in the docket and provide a 30-day extension from the date this is added for both amended test procedures and energy conservation standards comments. In response, DOE added the spreadsheets Aug. 18, but did not extend the comment deadline. |
ENERGY STAR® updates
Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers Version 5.0 is now in effect. Certification bodies may only certify to this specification, but they can submit administrative modifications to existing certifications using Version 4.0 until Dec. 21. After then, Version 5.0 is in full effect.
Massachusetts issues draft commercial appliance standards
Massachusetts’ Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released a draft Guideline Interpreting 225 CMR 9.00 Appliance Efficiency Standards. Covered products include commercial hot-food holding cabinets, ovens, dishwashers, fryers and steam cookers. Comments are due by Aug. 30. DOER will issue final guidelines before Jan. 1, 2023.