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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 123 / Wednesday, June 30, 2021 / Proposed Rules be monitored with an aspirating-type psychrometer 3 perpendicular to, and one foot in front of, the unit; and, in the case of multiple air intakes, to be monitored with a separate sampling tree. See Sections 3.1.1, 3.1.1.2, 3.1.1.3
of appendix X1. In the July 2015 Final Rule, DOE considered whether certain psychrometer configuration issues, such as variable levels of residual heat from the psychrometer fan and variable air velocity influencing the accuracy of temperature sensors, were detrimental to test repeatability. 80 FR 45812
45813. As discussed in the July 2015
Final Rule, DOE was unable to determine whether any repeatability improvements are associated with adjusting the fan location in relation to the dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperature sensors, or with tightening the air velocity requirements through the psychrometer. DOE also did not have sufficient data to quantify the burdens associated with such requirements. Id.
at 80 FR 45813.
Additionally, since publication of the July 2015 Final Rule, DOE has received feedback from a testing laboratory that use of a sampling tree ducted to an aspirating psychrometer is a common configuration for testing of other refrigerant-based products, and that placing the psychrometer itself in front of the test unit may impede the instruments ability to effectively monitor the inlet air conditions. In the July 2015 Final Rule, DOE considered a proposal to require sampling trees for testing all dehumidifiers, regardless of the number of air intakes, for consistency and repeatability. However, based on available data, DOE was unable to conclude at that time that the use of a sampling tree would be more reliable than the psychrometer-only approach. Id. at 80 FR 4581245813.
Issue 11: DOE seeks data on the effect of residual heat from the psychrometer fan and the effects of psychrometer air velocity on temperature measurement repeatability when using a psychrometer, rather than a humidity sensor, under the current appendix X1
test procedure.
DOE seeks information and data on measures that can be employed to minimize any such effects when using a psychrometer, as well as information regarding the repeatability of measurements when such measures are used.
3 In an aspirating-type psychrometer, a wet-bulb and a dry-bulb thermometer are mounted inside a case that also contains a fan. The fan draws air across both thermometers, and the resulting wetbulb and dry-bulb temperatures are used to determine the percent relative humidity.

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Issue 12: DOE requests comment on any potential test burden increases associated with additional requirements regarding psychrometer fan placement and orientation relative to the temperature sensors, and any burden associated with reducing the acceptable psychrometer air velocity range.
Issue 13: DOE requests comment on whether it would be appropriate to require, or to allow, sampling trees to be used with aspirating psychrometers regardless of the number of air intakes for a given model, including any data confirming repeatability and especially repeatability relative to using an aspirating psychrometer without a sampling tree.
4. Smart Technology DOE notes that many types of household products e.g. refrigerators, dryers, room air conditioners are now equipped with connected functionality, such as mobile alerts/
messages, remote control, and energy information and demand response capabilities to support future smart grid interconnection. DOE is aware that certain manufacturers have incorporated some of these features, such as WiFi capability, into dehumidifiers. On September 17, 2018, DOE published an RFI on the emerging smart technology appliance and equipment market. 83 FR
46886. In that RFI, DOE sought information to better understand market trends and issues in the emerging market for appliances and commercial equipment that incorporate smart technology. DOEs intent in issuing the RFI was to ensure that DOE did not inadvertently impede such innovation in fulfilling its statutory obligations in setting efficiency standards for covered products and equipment. DOE seeks comments, data and information on the issues presented in the RFI as they may apply to dehumidifiers.
Issue 14: DOE requests data on the prevalence of connected functionality in dehumidifiers currently on the market in the United States.
Issue 15: DOE requests information on whether the current test procedures for dehumidifiers impede the ability of manufacturers to provide smart technology operations on dehumidifiers.
5. Ventilation Air Appendix X1 requires that any freshair inlet on a whole-home dehumidifier be capped and sealed during testing. See Section 3.1.3 of appendix X1. In the July 2015 Final Rule, DOE determined that, while sealing the fresh-air inlet on dehumidifiers designed to operate with the fresh-air intake open may negatively impact capacity and efficiency, those
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effects are not significant enough to warrant the added test burden of providing separate fresh-air inflow. 80
FR 45811. DOE also noted the lack of data regarding representative consumer use of fresh-air inlet ducts for wholehome dehumidifiers.
Issue 16: DOE requests data about the prevalence of fresh-air inlet use among whole-home dehumidifier consumers.
Issue 17: DOE seeks feedback on the test burden increases associated with adding another air-stream in the testing configuration to account for the fresh-air inlet on those whole-home dehumidifiers equipped with such a feature.
C. Other Test Procedure Topics In addition to the issues identified earlier in this document, DOE welcomes comment on any other aspect of the existing test procedures for dehumidifiers.
III. Submission of Comments DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by July 30, 2021, comments and information on matters addressed in this notice and on other matters relevant to DOEs consideration of amended test procedures for dehumidifiers. These comments and information will aid in the development of a test procedure notice of proposed rulemaking for dehumidifiers if DOE
determines that amended test procedures may be appropriate for these products.
Submitting comments via www.regulations.gov. The www.regulations.gov web page will require you to provide your name and contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization name if any, and submitter representative name if any.
If your comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE
cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment. Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your comment.
Following this instruction, persons viewing comments will see only first and last names, organization names,
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