July 18, 2016, the US Department of Energy (DOE) ｕｐｄａｔｅd the regulation of 10 CFR Appendix A to subpart B of part 430, the definition and energy test method for coolers were added into the regulation.

Impact

Impact Statement: Coolers and Combination cooler refrigeration products

Overview of Changes: The definition and energy test method were added into the regulation.

Action Required: 

• For coolers, manufacturers may, on a voluntary basis, make representations of energy use starting on August 17, 2016 according to the provisions in appendix A. And this test procedure provisions will be mandatory for representations of energy use starting January 17, 2017
• For combination cooler refrigeration products, manufacturers shall use the test procedures according to the relevant test procedure waivers before January 17, 2017, which is similar to the provisions in appendix A.  And manufacturers are mandatory to use test method according to the provisions in appendix A on or after January 17, 2017. These products would continue to be treated as refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, or freezers (as applicable) until the compliance date of energy conservation standards established for MREFs.

Revisions

1. Definitions：

Cooler compartment means a refrigerated compartment designed exclusively for wine or other beverages within a consumer refrigeration product that is capable of maintaining compartment temperatures either (a) no lower than 39 °F (3.9 °C), or (b) in a range that extends no lower than 37 °F (2.8 °C) but at least as high as 60 °F (15.6 °C).

Cooler includes Freestanding cooler, Freestanding compact cooler, Built-in cooler and Built-in compact cooler.

Combination cooler refrigeration product includes Cooler-all-refrigerator, Cooler-refrigerator, Cooler-refrigerator-freezer and Cooler-freezer.

2.  Test Method：

• Test procedures for coolers and Combination cooler refrigeration product were added, including test set-up, temperature settings, volume measurements and calculations, and measuring and calculating energy use.
• A standardized compartment temperature of 55 °F for cooler compartment.
• A usage adjustment factor of 0.55 for cooler compartment.

Our Services

• Intertek can provide energy efficiency testing and certification service for refrigerator and cooler according to the requirements of Europe ErP and energy labeling, the U.S. DOE and Energy Star, Australia STC and other countries and regions.
• Our testing laboratories have been optimized to meet the demands of various standards, and provide efficient and accurate testing service and the best testing solutions.
• With 62 energy efficiency laboratories around the world, we are expert in delivering a variety of energy efficiency solutions which are easy to understand and implement, and eliminate your concerns about cost.

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers’ operations and supply chains. Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.

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