Ceiling Fans
As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), ceiling fan means a nonportable device that is suspended from a ceiling for circulating air via the rotation of fan blades. 10 CFR 430.2. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has had the authority to regulate the energy efficiency level of ceiling fan since 2005.
Current Standard | Current Test Procedure |
Ongoing Rulemaking for Standards | Ongoing Rulemaking for Test Procedure |
Helpful Links
Recent and Ongoing Activities
DOE has published a Federal Register notice pertaining to energy conservation standards for ceiling fans. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), prescribes standards for various consumer products, including ceiling fans. The Energy Act of 2020 amended the standards for large-diameter ceiling fans (LDCFs). DOE codified these efficiency requirements in a final rule published May 27, 2021. When DOE published the final rule codifying the standards for LDCFs in 2021, DOE’s test procedure for LDCFs was applicable only to those ceiling fans with a diameter less than or equal to 24 feet. As a result, DOE could not implement the full scope of LDCF standards set forth in the Energy Act of 2020. In order to remedy this situation, DOE has removed this limit on ceiling fan diameter in the most recent test procedure rulemaking for ceiling fans. As such, DOE is now able to implement in this final rule the full scope of standards for LDCFs set forth in the Energy Act of 2020.
- The effective date of this rule is November 28, 2022.
DOE has published a Federal Register notice amending the test procedures for ceiling fans to include a definition for “circulating air” for the purpose of the ceiling fan definition; include ceiling fans greater than 24 feet within the scope of the test procedure; include certain belt-driven ceiling fans within the scope of the test procedure; specify that certain very small-diameter ceiling fans are not required to be tested; maintain applicability of the standby power test procedure to large-diameter ceiling fans; specify instructions for testing ceiling fans with certain accessories or features; clarify test voltage for large-diameter ceiling fans; amend the low speed definition and increase low speed tolerance for stability criteria; permit an alternate set-up to collect air velocity test data and provide greater specificity regarding sensor orientation; amend the blade thickness measurement requirement; update instrument measurement resolution, represented values, rounding instructions, and enforcement provisions; and codify current guidance on calculating several values reported on the EnergyGuide label. DOE is also updating references to an industry test standard to reference the latest version.
- The effective date of this rule is September 15, 2022.
- The final rule changes will be mandatory for product testing February 13, 2023.
- The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 15, 2022.
- The incorporation by reference of certain other material listed in this rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 24, 2016 and May 27, 2021.
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.
Standards
Final Rule; Technical Amendment |
- Federal Register 87FR72862 (November 28, 2022)
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Notification of a Webinar and Availability of Preliminary TSD
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Final rule; technical amendments
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RFI; Extension of public comment period
Request for Information
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Final Rule Confirmation Compliance |
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Final Rule |
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The ceiling fan energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information:
There are no meetings scheduled.
Submitting Public Comments
Test Procedure
Final Rule |
- Federal Register, 87FR50396 (August 16, 2022)
- The effective date of this rule is September 15, 2022.
- The final rule changes will be mandatory for product testing February 13, 2023.
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Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
- Federal Register, 86FR69544 (December 7, 2021)
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Final Rule; Technical Amendments
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- Federal Register, 86FR28469 May 27, 2021)
- This rule will be effective May 27, 2021.
- The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register May 27, 2021.
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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
- Federal Register, 84FR51440 (September 30, 2019)
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The ceiling fans test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2013-BT-TP-0050 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information
There are no meetings scheduled.
Submitting Public Comments
Current Standard
Ceiling fans manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 430.32(s)(1).
Helpful Links
Compliance
DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information on these regulations is available here.
Waivers
For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.27.
Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for ceiling fans.
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions
For information on further guidance and answers to Frequently Asked Questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.
State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption
DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the Federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart D.
Small Business Exemptions
Any manufacturer of a covered product with annual gross revenues that do not exceed $8,000,000 from all its operations and meets certain other conditions may apply for an exemption to the energy conservation standard. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart E.
ENERGY STAR®
DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR® products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov
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