Consumer air cleaners; Air quality (ICS 13.040), Test conditions and procedures in general (ICS 19.020), Miscellaneous domestic and commercial equipment (ICS 97.180)

Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure and Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Products; Consumer Air Cleaners

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"), authorizes the Secretary of Energy to classify additional types of consumer products as covered products upon determining that: classifying the product as a covered product is necessary for the purposes of EPCA; and the average annual per-household energy use by products of such type is likely to exceed 100 kilowatt-hours per year ("kWh/yr''). In a final determination published on 15 July 2022 (notified in G/TBT/N/USA/1778/Add.1, identified by Docket Number EERE-2021-BT-DET-0022), DOE determined that classifying air cleaners as a covered product is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA, and that the average U.S. household energy use for air cleaners is likely to exceed 100 kWh/yr. In this notice of proposed rulemaking ("NOPR'"), DOE proposes new energy conservation standards for air cleaners identical to those set forth in a direct final rule published elsewhere in this Federal Register, described below. If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal, DOE will publish a notice withdrawing the direct final rule and will proceed with this proposed rule.

SUMMARY, DIRECT FINAL RULE: DOE is establishing energy conservation standards for air cleaners. DOE has determined that energy conservation standards for these products will result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified.

DATES: The effective date of this rule is 9 August 2023, unless adverse comment is received by 31 July 2023. If adverse comments are received that DOE determines may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule, a timely withdrawal of this rule will be published in the Federal Register. If no such adverse comments are received, compliance with the standards established for air cleaners in this direct final rule is required on and after 31 December 2023.