Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers

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As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “walk-in cooler” and “walk-in freezer” (WICFs) mean an enclosed storage space refrigerated to temperatures, respectively, above, and at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit that can be walked into, and has a total chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet. The terms “walk-in cooler” and “walk-in freezer” do not include products designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes. 10 CFR 431, Subpart R. Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for WICFs since 2009.

Current Standard | Current Test Procedure | Ongoing Rulemaking for Standards | Ongoing Rulemaking for Test Procedure | Helpful Links


Recent and Ongoing Activities

On September 5, 2023, DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), in which DOE proposed amended energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. In this pre-publication Federal Register notification, DOE is summarizing and addressing comments that were considered but not discussed in the September 2023 NOPR.

  • DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the September 2023 NOPR as supplemented by this notice of data availability no later than November 6, 2023.
  • Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number EERE-2017-BT-STD-0009, by email (WICF2017STD0009@ee.doe.gov), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).
  • DOE will hold a webinar on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Click here to register for the webinar.
  • Foreign Nationals interested in participating in this webinar, must be screened by DOE Headquarters Security prior to being granted access. Please email Regina.Washington@ee.doe.gov to complete the necessary documentation at least two weeks prior to scheduled meeting date.
  • Additional webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE’s website: https://energy.gov/eere/buildings/public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines

DOE has published a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking proposing to amend energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and freezers. Specifically, DOE proposes to amend standards for walk-in non-display doors and walk-in refrigeration systems.

On May 4, 2023, DOE published a final rule adopting test procedures for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. DOE has issued a pre-publication Federal Register notice correcting errors and omissions in that final rule. Neither the errors and omissions nor the corrections affect the substance of the rulemaking or any conclusions reached in support of the final rule.

  • This correction notice is effective once the once notice has published in the Federal Register. DOE will send a follow-up e-mail once the notice publishes to announce the effective date.

DOE has published a Federal Register final rule amending the test procedures for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers to harmonize with updated industry standards, revise certain definitions, revise the test methods to more accurately represent field energy use, and to accommodate a wider range of walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer component equipment designs.

  • The effective date of this rule is June 5, 2023
  • The amendments will be mandatory for product testing starting October 31, 2023. Manufacturers will be required to use the amended test procedures until the compliance date of any final rule establishing amended energy conservation standards based on the newly established test procedures. At such time, manufacturers will be required to begin using the newly established test procedures. 
  • The incorporation by reference of certain materials listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register starting June 5, 2023. 
  • The incorporation by reference of certain other material listed in the rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register on January 27, 2017.

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

Notice od Data Availability 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
  • Federal Register, 88FR60746 (September 5, 2023)
Notice of Availability of Preliminary TSD and Request for Comment
Request for Information
  • Federal Register, 86FR37687 (July 16, 2021)

The walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers standards rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-STD-0009 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

Public Meeting Information:

There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

The comment period is closed.

Test Procedure

Final Rule; Correction Notice 

Final Rule 

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
  • Federal Register, 87FR23920 (April 21, 2022)
Request for Information
  • Federal Register, 86FR32332 (June 17, 2021)
Hot Gas Defrost Unit Coolers; Final Rule 
  • Federal Regiter, 86FR16027 (March 26, 2021)
Hot Gas Defrost Unit Cooler; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
  • Federal Register, 85FR60724 (September 27, 2020)

Final Rule; Further Delay of Effective Date

Final Rule 

The walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-TP-0010 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

Public Meeting Information

There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

The comment period is closed.

 


Current Standard

WICFs manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6311(20), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 431.306.


Current Test Procedure

To determine that WICFs that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 431.304.


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 WICFs.

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 431, Subpart V and 10 CFR 431, Subpart W.

Contact information

For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov


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