Energy Labeling Rule

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 305 [RIN 3084-AB03] AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (“Commission”) amends its Energy Labeling Rule (“Rule”) by publishing new ranges of comparability for required labels on central air conditioners, heat pumps, and weatherized furnaces. DATES: The amendments announced in this document will become effective on January 1, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome, Attorney, Division of Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580 (202-326-2889). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Commission issued the Energy Labeling Rule in 1979, 44 FR 66466 (Nov. 19, 1979) pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (“EPCA”). [ 1 ] The Rule covers several categories of major household appliances, including central air conditioners and heat pumps. It requires manufacturers of covered appliances to disclose specific energy consumption or efficiency information (derived from DOE test procedures) at the point-of-sale. In addition, each label must include a “range of comparability” indicating the highest and lowest energy consumption or efficiencies for comparable models. The Commission updates these ranges periodically. II. Range Updates for Central Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps, and Weatherized Furnaces The Commission is updating the Rule's ranges of comparability, based on current data, for central ai…