Furnace fans (HS 8414; ICS 13.020, 23.120)

Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures for Residential Furnace Fans

The U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") is undertaking an early assessment review to determine whether amendments are warranted for the test procedure for consumer furnace fans. DOE has identified certain issues associated with the currently applicable test procedure on which DOE is interested in receiving comment. The issues outlined in this document mainly concern: Test settings (selection of airflow control settings and external static pressure ("ESP") requirement for airflow settings other than the maximum setting); incorporation by reference of the most recent industry test method; clarifications for testing of certain products, including furnace fans with modulating controls, furnace fans and modular blowers tested with electric heat kits, certain two-stage furnaces that operate at reduced input only for a preset period of time, dual-fuel furnaces, and certain oil-fired furnaces; and issues related to test procedure repeatability and reproducibility. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of this document, including topics not raised in this request for information ("RFI").