Energy Department Final Rule

2016-17139: Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Ceiling Fans

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Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is issuing a final rule to amend the test procedures for ceiling fans. DOE is establishing an integrated efficiency metric for ceiling fans, based on airflow and power consumption at high and low speed for low-speed small-diameter ceiling fans; at high speed for high-speed small-diameter ceiling fans; and at up to five speeds for large-diameter ceiling fans. The integrated efficiency metric also accounts for power consumed in standby mode. DOE is also adopting new test procedures for large- diameter ceiling fans, multi-mount ceiling fans, ceiling fans with multiple fan heads, and ceiling fans where the airflow is not directed vertically, and clarifying when these methods must be conducted. Additionally, DOE is adopting the following changes to the current test procedure: Eliminating the test cylinder from the test setup; specifying the method of measuring the distance between the ceiling fan blades and the air velocity sensors during testing; specifying the fan configuration during testing for ceiling fans that can be mounted in more than one configuration; specifying the test method for ceiling fans with heaters; specifying that a ceiling fan is not subject to the test procedure if the plane of rotation of the ceiling fan's blades cannot be within 45 degrees of horizontal; specifying that centrifugal ceiling fans are not subject to the test procedure; specifying that all small-diameter ceiling fans must be mounted directly to the real ceiling for testing; revising the allowable measurement tolerance for air velocity sensors; revising the allowable mounting tolerance for air velocity sensors; revising the testing temperature requirement; requiring measurement axes to be perpendicular to walls; specifying the position of air conditioning vents and doors during testing; specifying operation of room conditioning equipment; specifying the power source and how power measurements are to be made; and specifying stable measurement criteria and a method for determining stability.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 2 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

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