EERE Information Center
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Answer: The text of the legislation can be found in EISA (PDF 1.0 MB) or by visiting http://thomas.loc.gov/, entering "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" into the search box under "advanced search", selecting the PDF version of Public Law No. 110-140, and scrolling down to section 312, "Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers". Download Adobe Reader.

Answer: According to EISA, walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers are enclosed storage spaces that can be walked into, with total chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet. A walk-in cooler is refrigerated to above 32°F; a walk-in freezer is cooled to 32°F or below. The terms "walk-in cooler" and "walk-in freezer" do not include products designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes. Any product that meets the definition of "walk-in cooler" or "walk-in freezer" is subject to the EISA requirements for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.

Answer: Design requirements are specific features that are required in the design of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers (e.g., floor insulation of at least R-28 for walk-in freezers). In section 312(b) of EISA 2007, Congress mandated specific design requirements for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers that took effect on January 1, 2009. In contrast, energy conservation (or performance) standards for regulated equipment describe the required level of performance (e.g., maximum kWh/year energy consumption) and provide a manufacturer with discretion in determining—among the many available options—how best to meet that performance level. Section 312(b) of EISA also provides that performance standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers will be established by DOE through a rulemaking process and published no later than January 1, 2012, with an effective date three years from the date of publication. Manufacturers of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers will be required to meet both the design requirements mandated by Congress in EISA (by January 1, 2009) and the future performance standards (once the performance standards are effective).

Answer: The design requirements mandated by Congress in EISA took effect on January 1, 2009, and apply to all walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers manufactured on or after this date. Performance standards will be established by DOE through a rulemaking process and published no later than January 1, 2012. These standards will take effect three years after publication and apply to all walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers manufactured on or after that date.

Answer: DOE is responsible for enforcing Federal energy standards, whether those standards were developed through a DOE rulemaking or prescribed by Congress. DOE establishes specific enforcement regulations for each product covered by these standards, which may require manufacturers to file documents such as a compliance statement and a certification report. In a compliance statement, the manufacturer certifies its products meet the requirements. In a certification report, the manufacturer provides product-specific information, such as the model number, energy consumption or efficiency, and other model-specific information that would enable DOE to determine which product class and standard the product is subject to and whether the product meets the standard. However, DOE has not yet finalized enforcement regulations for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. Until DOE finalizes such regulations, manufacturers will not be required to report any data to DOE, but they must still meet all prescribed standards that went into effect on January 1, 2009. If there is a question regarding compliance, DOE will confirm with the manufacturer and the manufacturer will have to demonstrate that the product meets the standard.

Answer: EPCA provides that "[t]he term 'manufacture' means to manufacture, produce, assemble or import." 42 U.S.C. 6291(10). Therefore, anyone who manufactures, produces, assembles, or imports walk-ins could be considered the "manufacturer." Starting on January 1, 2009, the manufacturer of a new walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer needs to ensure that whatever components are used in the construction of the walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer satisfy the design requirements in EISA. Additionally, on or after three years from the date of publication of the energy conservation (or performance) standards set by DOE, the manufacturer of a new walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer needs to ensure that the walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer satisfies those performance standards as well.

Answer: No, these regulations only apply to walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers manufactured on or after January 1, 2009.

Answer: There is no exemption or waiver available from the design requirements mandated by Congress.

Answer: The DOE point of contact for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers is:
Charles Llenza
Project Manager/Engineer
U.S. Department of Energy
(202) 586-2192 (telephone)
(202) 287-1590 (fax)

Answer: Section 342(f)(1)(B) of EPCA states that a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer must have a "method of minimizing infiltration when doors are open", regardless of the size of the door. Acceptable methods include, but are not limited to, strip curtains, spring hinged doors (also known as traffic doors or impact doors), and air curtains.

Answer: Section 342(f)(1)(B) of EPCA requires, for a door of any size, "strip doors, spring hinged doors, or other method of minimizing infiltration when doors are open". Since the door described in the question has a closing mechanism similar to a spring hinge mechanism, it complies with the requirements in this section.

Answer: Section 342(f)(1)(C) of EPCA states that walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers must contain door insulation of at least R-25 for coolers and R-32 for freezers.

Answer: Section 342(f)(1)(C) of EPCA states that the insulation requirements for doors "shall not apply to glazed portions of doors...". However, section 342(f)(3) contains requirements for transparent reach-in doors and windows in doors for both walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. Section 342(f)(3)(A) states, "Transparent reach-in doors for walk-in freezers and windows in walk-in freezer doors shall be of triple-pane glass with either heat-reflective treated glass or gas fill." Additionally, section 342(f)(3)(B) states, "[t]ransparent reach-in doors for walk-in coolers and windows in walk-in cooler doors shall be — (i) double-pane glass with heat-reflective treated glass and gas fill; or (ii) triple-pane glass with either heat-reflective treated glass or gas fill."

Answer: Sections 342(f)(1)(E) and (F) of EPCA contain the following requirements for fan motors: evaporator fan motors of under 1 horsepower and less than 460 volts must be electronically commutated motors (brushless direct current motors) or 3-phase motors; condenser fan motors of under 1 horsepower must be electronically commutated motors, permanent split capacitor-type motors, or 3-phase motors. Section 342(f)(2)(B) provides that for evaporator fan motors only, other types of motors may be used "if the Secretary determines that, on average, those other motors use no more energy in evaporator fan applications than electronically commutated motors."

Answer: According to section 342(f)(1)(G) of EPCA, interior light sources must have an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or more, including ballast losses (if any). Light sources with an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or less, including ballast losses (if any), are allowed if there is a timer or other device that turns off the lights within 15 minutes of when the walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer is not occupied by people.