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Rulemaking for Test Procedures for Consumer and Commercial Water Heaters – Mathematical Conversion Factor

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DOE is conducting a rulemaking, as required by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, to establish a mathematical conversion factor for the purpose of translating efficiency ratings for water heaters under the test method currently in effect to the ratings under the amended test method promulgated by DOE in a final rule published on July 11, 2014 (hereinafter referred to as the “the July 2014 final rule”). In addition, this rulemaking will consider amendments to the minimum energy conservation standards for consumer water heaters and residential-duty commercial water heaters to account for the impact of the new metric, but does not alter the stringency of the existing energy conservation standards.

Recent Updates

DOE has published a Federal Register notice reopening the comment period and announcing a public meeting regarding establishing a mathematical conversion factor for consumer water heaters and certain commercial water heaters. 80 FR 28850 (May 20, 2015). DOE will host a public meeting May 28, 2015 from 10 am to 4 pm at 950 L’Enfant Plaza, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20585.

DOE has published a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking establishing a mathematical conversion factor for consumer water heaters and certain commercial water heaters. (80 FR 20116 (April 14, 2015). Comments are due May 14, 2015.

Public Meeting Information

There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

The comment period has closed.

Comments may be submitted through regulations.gov, email, postal mail, or by hand delivery/courier. Please follow the directions below. Also please see the Public Participation section of the notice for additional directions regarding submission format, campaign form letters, and confidential business information.

Any comments submitted must identify the Test Procedures for Consumer and Commercial Water Heaters rulemaking by name and provide its docket number EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-AC91. Comments may be submitted using any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: The rulemaking docket at www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: ConsumerCommWaterHtrs2015TP0007@ee.doe.gov. Include the docket number and/or RIN in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Please submit one signed original paper copy.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586–2945. Please submit one signed original paper copy.

Milestones and Documents

The Test Procedures for Consumer and Commercial Water Heaters rulemaking docket EERE-2015-BT-TP-0007 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents. For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.

Related Rulemakings

DOE published a final rule regarding test procedures for residential water heaters and certain commercial water heaters 79 FR 40541 (July 11, 2014). For more information, please see the rulemaking webpage.

Statutory Authority

Title III Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (“EPCA” or, “the Act”), Pub. L. 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309, as codified) sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency and established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles. These include consumer water heaters, one subject of this document. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(4)) Title III, Part C of EPCA, Pub. L. 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6311–6317, as codified), added by Pub. L. 95–619, Title IV, Sec. 441(a), established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment, which includes the commercial water heating equipment that is another subject of this rulemaking. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(K))

Contact Information

For more information related to this rulemaking, please email:

water_heaters@ee.doe.gov