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The Department of Energy (DOE) has decided to delay the effective date of a final rule that updates how energy efficiency is measured for small electric motors and electric motors. The original rule, which was published on January 4, 2021, will be postponed for 60 days starting from January 20, 2021, to allow for further review. This action is in response to a memorandum from the Chief of Staff, and the DOE does not plan to seek public comments on this immediate delay. However, the DOE is open to receiving comments on any potential further delays and the legal or policy issues related to the rule.

The Department of Energy has decided to delay the effective date of new energy conservation standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. Originally, the rule was set to be enforced on March 21, 2025, but it is now postponed to May 20, 2025. This delay aligns with a Presidential Memorandum that called for reviewing such rules. The compliance date for these standards, however, remains unchanged at December 26, 2029.

The Department of Energy has delayed the start date of a new rule regarding testing procedures for general service lamps to give officials more time for review. Initially set to take effect on January 16, 2025, the rule will now become effective on March 21, 2025, though the compliance date remains July 15, 2025. This decision aligns with a presidential directive aimed at reviewing new regulations. The department seeks public comments on how this delay might impact different stakeholders and any legal or policy concerns it raises.

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a correction to a December 2020 rule establishing separate product classes for fast cycle top and front-loading clothes washers and dryers. This correction addresses comments from California utilities, which were initially omitted, opposing the rule due to concerns of potential violations of energy conservation standards and lack of supporting evidence for consumer demand. Despite these objections, DOE maintains that the new classes will not violate conservation laws and are intended to encourage the development of quicker cycle appliances. The DOE plans to conduct further rulemakings to ensure energy efficiency standards for the new product classes.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a correction to a recent rule about test procedures for small electric motors and electric motors. This correction addresses an error in the instructions for updating the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The mistake did not change the content or conclusions of the original rule. The corrected rule will take effect on February 3, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Energy has finalized new rules amending the test procedures for central air conditioners and heat pumps, incorporating updated industry standards. The changes include adding new cooling and heating efficiency measures, SCORE and SHORE, which factor in energy use during off modes. The rule updates various testing standards and clarifies the requirements for systems like dual-fuel heat pumps and those using newer refrigerants. These rules aim to provide more accurate efficiency ratings without increasing testing costs for manufacturers.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is delaying the start date of a new rule about testing compressors until May 20, 2025, due to a Presidential order asking for a review of certain rules. This rule is meant to improve how the energy efficiency of compressors is measured by fixing errors and clarifying definitions. The DOE is also asking the public for comments about this delay and the potential impact it might have. Anyone interested can send their feedback through different methods like email or postal mail by March 28, 2025.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has decided to delay the effective date of a rule concerning the test procedures for central air conditioners and heat pumps. This action aligns with a directive from President Trump, urging the review of certain rules. The delay gives additional time for feedback and analysis, particularly on a new component of the testing procedure, the controls verification procedure (CVP). Some manufacturers expressed concerns about the potential costs and challenges of implementing these new tests, as they might require design adjustments and could be burdensome. DOE will continue to review the rule and consider comments received from industry stakeholders.

In a new final rule, the Department of Energy (DOE) has updated its test procedures for small electric motors and electric motors to align more closely with industry standards. This includes incorporating the latest version of the IEEE 112 standard, adding a new IEC standard as an optional method for testing, and providing clearer definitions and testing instructions to improve consistency and reduce testing burdens for manufacturers. The rule emphasizes that these changes will not affect the measured efficiency of the motors and sets specific compliance dates for manufacturers to implement the new procedures. The revisions are expected to reduce costs and harmonize testing practices with international standards.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final rule to amend the definition of a showerhead but needed to correct an error in the regulatory text instruction for 10 CFR 430.3 due to an inaccurate instruction. This correction, published on January 8, 2021, does not change the substance or conclusions of the original rule. The effective date for this update is January 15, 2021, and it was signed by DOE's Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.