US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 6314

Test procedures

(a)

Prescription by Secretary; requirements

(1)

Test procedures.—

(A)

1
1 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.
Amendment  .—

At least once every 7 years, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of each class of covered equipment and—
(i)
if the Secretary determines that amended test procedures would more accurately or fully comply with the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3), shall prescribe test procedures for the class in accordance with this section; or
(ii)
shall publish notice in the Federal Register of any determination not to amend a test procedure.
(2)
Test procedures prescribed in accordance with this section shall be reasonably designed to produce test results which reflect energy efficiency, energy use, and estimated operating costs of a type of industrial equipment (or class thereof) during a representative average use cycle (as determined by the Secretary), and shall not be unduly burdensome to conduct.
(3)
If the test procedure is a procedure for determining estimated annual operating costs, such procedure shall provide that such costs shall be calculated from measurements of energy use in a representative average-use cycle (as determined by the Secretary), and from representative average unit costs of the energy needed to operate such equipment during such cycle. The Secretary shall provide information to manufacturers of covered equipment respecting representative average unit costs of energy.
(4)
(A)
section 6313 of this title With respect to small commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, very large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, packaged terminal air conditioners, packaged terminal heat pumps, warm-air furnaces, packaged boilers, storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and unfired hot water storage tanks to which standards are applicable under , the test procedures shall be those generally accepted industry testing procedures or rating procedures developed or recognized by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute or by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, as referenced in ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 and in effect on .
(B)
If such an industry test procedure or rating procedure for small commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, very large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, packaged terminal air conditioners, packaged terminal heat pumps, warm-air furnaces, packaged boilers, storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, or unfired hot water storage tanks is amended, the Secretary shall amend the test procedure for the product as necessary to be consistent with the amended industry test procedure or rating procedure unless the Secretary determines, by rule, published in the Federal Register and supported by clear and convincing evidence, that to do so would not meet the requirements for test procedures described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection.
(C)
section 6293(e) of this title If the Secretary prescribes a rule containing such a determination, the rule may establish an amended test procedure for such product that meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection. In establishing any amended test procedure under this subparagraph or subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall follow the procedures and meet the requirements specified in .
(5)
(A)
section 6313 of this title With respect to electric motors to which standards are applicable under , the test procedures shall be the test procedures specified in NEMA Standards Publication MG1–1987 and IEEE Standard 112 Test Method B for motor efficiency, as in effect on .
(B)
If the test procedure requirements of NEMA Standards Publication MG–1987 and IEEE Standard 112 Test Method B for motor efficiency are amended, the Secretary shall amend the test procedures established by subparagraph (A) to conform to such amended test procedure requirements unless the Secretary determines, by rule, published in the Federal Register and supported by clear and convincing evidence, that to do so would not meet the requirements for test procedures described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection.
(C)
section 6293(e) of this title If the Secretary prescribes a rule containing such a determination, the rule may establish amended test procedures for such electric motors that meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection. In establishing any amended test procedure under this subparagraph or subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall follow the procedures and meet the requirements specified in .
(6)
(A)
(i)
In the case of commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers, the test procedures shall be—
(I)
the test procedures determined by the Secretary to be generally accepted industry testing procedures; or
(II)
rating procedures developed or recognized by the ASHRAE or by the American National Standards Institute.
(ii)
section 6313(c) of this title In the case of self-contained refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers to which standards are applicable under paragraphs (2) and (3) of , the initial test procedures shall be the ASHRAE 117 test procedure that is in effect on .
(B)
(i)
2
2 So in original. No cl. (ii) has been enacted.
  In the case of commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers with doors covered by the standards adopted in February 2002, by the California Energy Commission, the rating temperatures shall be the integrated average temperature of 38 degrees F (± 2 degrees F) for refrigerator compartments and 0 degrees F (± 2 degrees F) for freezer compartments.
(C)
3
3 See References in Text note below.
The Secretary shall issue a rule in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) to establish the appropriate rating temperatures for the other products for which standards will be established under section 6313(c)(4)  of this title.
(D)
section 6293(e) of this title In establishing the appropriate test temperatures under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall follow the procedures and meet the requirements under .
(E)
(i)
Not later than 180 days after the publication of the new ASHRAE 117 test procedure, if the ASHRAE 117 test procedure for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers is amended, the Secretary shall, by rule, amend the test procedure for the product as necessary to ensure that the test procedure is consistent with the amended ASHRAE 117 test procedure, unless the Secretary makes a determination, by rule, and supported by clear and convincing evidence, that to do so would not meet the requirements for test procedures under paragraphs (2) and (3).
(ii)
If the Secretary determines that 180 days is an insufficient period during which to review and adopt the amended test procedure or rating procedure under clause (i), the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register stating the intent of the Secretary to wait not longer than 1 additional year before putting into effect an amended test procedure or rating procedure.
(F)
(i)
If a test procedure other than the ASHRAE 117 test procedure is approved by the American National Standards Institute, the Secretary shall, by rule—
(I)
review the relative strengths and weaknesses of the new test procedure relative to the ASHRAE 117 test procedure; and
(II)
based on that review, adopt one new test procedure for use in the standards program.
(ii)
If a new test procedure is adopted under clause (i)—
(I)
section 6293(e) of this title shall apply; and
(II)
subparagraph (B) shall apply to the adopted test procedure.
(7)
(A)
In the case of automatic commercial ice makers, the test procedures shall be the test procedures specified in Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute Standard 810–2003, as in effect on .
(B)
(i)
If Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute Standard 810–2003 is amended, the Secretary shall amend the test procedures established in subparagraph (A) as necessary to be consistent with the amended Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute Standard, unless the Secretary determines, by rule, published in the Federal Register and supported by clear and convincing evidence, that to do so would not meet the requirements for test procedures under paragraphs (2) and (3).
(ii)
If the Secretary issues a rule under clause (i) containing a determination described in clause (ii), the rule may establish an amended test procedure for the product that meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(C)
section 6293(e) of this title The Secretary shall comply with in establishing any amended test procedure under this paragraph.
(8)
section 6295(g) of this title With respect to commercial clothes washers, the test procedures shall be the same as the test procedures established by the Secretary for residential clothes washers under .
(9)

Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.—

(A)

In general .—

For the purpose of test procedures for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers:
(i)
The R value shall be the 1/K factor multiplied by the thickness of the panel.
(ii)
The K factor shall be based on ASTM test procedure C518–2004.
(iii)
For calculating the R value for freezers, the K factor of the foam at 20°F (average foam temperature) shall be used.
(iv)
For calculating the R value for coolers, the K factor of the foam at 55°F (average foam temperature) shall be used.
(B)

Test procedure.—

(i)

In general .—

Not later than , the Secretary shall establish a test procedure to measure the energy-use of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.
(ii)

Computer modeling .—

The test procedure may be based on computer modeling, if the computer model or models have been verified using the results of laboratory tests on a significant sample of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.
(b)

Publication in Federal Register; presentment of oral and written data, views, and arguments by interested persons

Before prescribing any final test procedures under this section, the Secretary shall—
(1)
publish proposed test procedures in the Federal Register; and
(2)
afford interested persons an opportunity (of not less than 45 days’ duration) to present oral and written data, views, and arguments on the proposed test procedures.
(c)

Reevaluations

(1)
The Secretary shall, not later than 3 years after the date of prescribing a test procedure under this section (and from time to time thereafter), conduct a reevaluation of such procedure and, on the basis of such reevaluation, shall determine if such test procedure should be amended. In conducting such reevaluation, the Secretary shall take into account such information as he deems relevant, including technological developments relating to the energy efficiency of the type (or class) of covered equipment involved.
(2)
If the Secretary determines under paragraph (1) that a test procedure should be amended, he shall promptly publish in the Federal Register proposed test procedures incorporating such amendments and afford interested persons an opportunity to present oral and written data, views, and arguments. Such comment period shall not be less than 45 days’ duration.
(d)

Prohibited representations

(1)
Effective 180 days (or, in the case of small commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, very large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers, automatic commercial ice makers, commercial clothes washers, packaged terminal air conditioners, packaged terminal heat pumps, warm-air furnaces, packaged boilers, storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and unfired hot water storage tanks, 360 days) after a test procedure rule applicable to any covered equipment is prescribed under this section, no manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or private labeler may make any representation—
(A)
in writing (including any representation on a label), or
(B)
in any broadcast advertisement,
respecting the energy consumption of such equipment or cost of energy consumed by such equipment, unless such equipment has been tested in accordance with such test procedure and such representation fairly discloses the results of such testing.
(2)
On the petition of any manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or private labeler, filed not later than the 60th day before the expiration of the period involved, the 180-day period referred to in paragraph (1) may be extended by the Secretary with respect to the petitioner (but in no event for more than an additional 180 days) if he finds that the requirements of paragraph (1) would impose on such petitioner an undue hardship (as determined by the Secretary).
(e)

Assistance by National Institute of Standards and Technology

The Secretary may direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide such assistance as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out his responsibilities under this part, including the development of test procedures.

Pub. L. 94–163, title III, § 343Pub. L. 95–619, title IV, § 441(a)92 Stat. 3270Pub. L. 100–418, title V, § 5115(c)102 Stat. 1433Pub. L. 102–486, title I, § 122(b)106 Stat. 2808Pub. L. 109–58, title I, § 136(f)119 Stat. 641Pub. L. 110–140, title III121 Stat. 1552Pub. L. 112–210, § 10(a)(2)126 Stat. 1522(, as added , , ; amended , , ; , (f)(2), , , 2817; , , ; , §§ 302(b), 312(c), , , 1566; , (c)(2), , , 1525.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 6313(c)(4) of this titlesection 6313(c)(5) of this titlePub. L. 112–210, § 4(2)126 Stat. 1517, referred to in subsec. (a)(6)(C), was redesignated by , , .

Amendments

Pub. L. 112–210, § 10(a)(2)Pub. L. 110–140, § 302(b)2012—Subsec. (a). , made technical amendment to directory language of . See 2007 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 112–210, § 10(c)(2)Subsec. (a)(4)(A), (7). , substituted “Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute” for “Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 110–140, § 302(b)Pub. L. 112–210, § 10(a)(2)2007—Subsec. (a). , as amended by , inserted subsec. heading, added par. (1), and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “The Secretary may conduct an evaluation of a class of covered equipment and may prescribe test procedures for such class in accordance with the provisions of this section.”

Pub. L. 110–140, § 312(c)Subsec. (a)(9). , added par. (9).

Pub. L. 109–58, § 136(f)(1)(A)2005—Subsec. (a)(4)(A), (B). , inserted “very large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment,” after “large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment,”.

Pub. L. 109–58, § 136(f)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(6) to (8). , added pars. (6) to (8).

Pub. L. 109–58, § 136(f)(2)Subsec. (d)(1). , inserted “very large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers, automatic commercial ice makers, commercial clothes washers,” after “large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment,” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 102–486, § 122(b)(1)(A)section 6313 of this title1992—Subsec. (a)(1). , added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “If the Secretary has conducted an evaluation of a class of covered equipment under , he may prescribe test procedures for such class in accordance with the following provisions of this section.”

Pub. L. 102–486, § 122(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(4), (5). , added pars. (4) and (5).

Pub. L. 102–486, § 122(f)(2)Subsecs. (c), (d). , redesignated subsec. (d), relating to reevaluations, as (c).

Pub. L. 102–486, § 122(b)(2)Subsec. (d)(1). , inserted “(or, in the case of small commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, packaged terminal air conditioners, packaged terminal heat pumps, warm-air furnaces, packaged boilers, storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and unfired hot water storage tanks, 360 days)” after “180 days”.

Pub. L. 100–4181988—Subsec. (e). substituted “National Institute of Standards and Technology” for “National Bureau of Standards”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

section 10(a)(2) of Pub. L. 112–210Pub. L. 110–140section 10(a)(13) of Pub. L. 112–210section 6291 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2007 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–140section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140section 1824 of Title 2Amendment by effective on the date that is 1 day after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under , The Congress.