DOE has published a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to energy conservation standards for air cleaners. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, (EPCA), authorizes the Secretary of Energy to classify additional types of consumer products as covered products upon determining that: classifying the product as a covered product is necessary for the purposes of EPCA; and the average annual per-household energy use by products of such type is likely to exceed 100 kilowatt-hours per year (“kWh/yr”). In a final determination published on July 15, 2022, DOE determined that classifying air cleaners as a covered product is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA, and that the average U.S. household energy use for air cleaners is likely to exceed 100 kWh/yr. In this NOPR, DOE proposes new standards for air cleaners identical to those set forth in a direct final rule issued today. If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal, DOE will publish a notice withdrawing the direct final rule and will proceed with this proposed rule.

• DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR until July 31, 2023.
• Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number EERE–2021–BT–STD-0035, by email (AirCleaners2021STD0035@ee.doe.gov), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).

DOE has published a Federal Register direct final rule pertaining to energy conservation standards for air cleaners. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), authorizes the Secretary of Energy to classify additional types of consumer products as covered products upon determining that: (1) classifying the product as a covered product is necessary for the purposes of EPCA; and (2) the average annual per-household energy use by products of such type is likely to exceed 100 kilowatt-hours per year (“kWh/yr”). In a final determination published on July 15, 2022, DOE determined that classifying air cleaners as a covered product is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA, and that the average U.S. household energy use for air cleaners is likely to exceed 100 kWh/yr. In this direct final rule, DOE is establishing standards for air cleaners. DOE has determined that standards for these products will result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified.

• The effective date of this rule is August 9, 2023, unless adverse comment is received by July 31, 2023.

• If adverse comments are received that DOE determines may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule, a timely withdrawal of this rule will be published in the Federal Register. If no such adverse comments are received, compliance with the standards established for air cleaners in this direct final rule is required on and after December 31, 2023.

DOE has published Federal Register final rule pertaining to test procedures for air cleaners. This final rule establishes definitions, a test procedure, and sampling and representation requirements for air cleaners. Currently, air cleaners are not subject to DOE test procedures or energy conservation standards. DOE is establishing a test procedure for measuring the integrated energy factor of air cleaners. The test method references the relevant industry standard, with certain modifications.

• The effective date of this rule is April 5, 2023.
• The incorporation by reference of certain materials listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register April 5, 2023.

Final Determination

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.