Regulatory Discussion Document - Energy Rating · Paper 4: Refrigerators and Freezers in Australia...

A joint initiative of Australian, State and Territory

and New Zealand Governments.

Regulatory Discussion

Document

Government agency proposed pathway to regulate

refrigeration equipment sold to consumers in Australia and

New Zealand from about April 2015

August 2012

Regulatory Discussion Document ii

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence. To view

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The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency on behalf of the Equipment Energy

Efficiency Program asserts the right to be recognised as author of the original material in the

following manner:

© Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency) 2011.

The material in this publication is provided for general information only, and on the

understanding that the Australian Government is not providing professional advice. Before

any action or decision is taken on the basis of this material the reader should obtain

appropriate independent professional advice.

This document is available at www.energyrating.gov.au

While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are

factually correct, E3 does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the

content, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or

indirectly through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of this publication.

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Product Profile Template iii

CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................................. III

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Background .................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Summary of the Proposal .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Consultation ................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Australian and New Zealand Regulatory Policy ........................................................................................................... 4 Regulatory Framework .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Technical Aspects of the Proposal ................................................................................................................................ 4 Paper Structure .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

PART 1: REVISED MEPS & MEPL FOR FREEZING AND REFRIGERATING EQUIPMENT ................................. 7 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2015 Proposal ................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Test method issues when measuring MEPS and MEPL .............................................................................................. 9

PART 2: ENERGY LABELLING PROPOSALS ...................................................................................................... 10 Introduction of Dynamic Energy Consumption Measurement ................................................................................. 10 Test Method Issues ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 Overall Energy Consumption Determination ............................................................................................................. 11 Star Rating Algorithm ................................................................................................................................................. 12

PART 3: CLARIFICATION AND EXPANSION OF REGULATORY COVERAGE ................................................. 13 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Equipment Types Not Previously Regulated.............................................................................................................. 13 Proposal to Regulate These Products ......................................................................................................................... 14 Cooling Equipment (4°C to 11°C) and Storing Equipment (12°C and above) .......................................................... 14

Clarification of compartment definitions: .............................................................................................................. 14 New Groups: ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 Test Method: ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 MEPS Levels: ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 Energy Labelling: ..................................................................................................................................................... 16

Hybrid Products ...........................................................................................................................................................17 Commercial Refrigeration Units Marketed and Sold into the Domestic Market ......................................................17

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................ 19

ATTACHMENT A – INDEX OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS............................................................................... 22

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: MEPS Levels for AS/NZS Groups in 2015 .......................................................................................................... 7 Table 2: MEPS Levels for new AS/NZS Groups 8 and 9 from 2015 ............................................................................. 15

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 –Potential warning label for use on “cooled appliances” ................................................................................ 16

Contents

Product Profile Template 1

This regulatory discussion document is a regulatory proposal to increase the stringency of minimum energy

performance standards (described as MEPS in this report) for equipment used to refrigerate and freeze food and

beverages in Australia and New Zealand from a date that is not earlier than April 2015. The document also expands

the coverage of existing regulations by incorporating cooling and storing refrigeration equipment (the most

common example being beverage coolers). This explicit incorporation will overcome confusion about the

equipment types subject to regulation.

This paper reports the preparedness of government agency staff to recommend to relevant Ministers that improved

regulations for this product type be based on US regulatory requirements that are coming into effect in 2014 in that

country.

Consultants have prepared a series of papers setting out much of the technical detail contained in the new US

regulations and how alignment with US new regulatory levels could be achieved. This regulatory discussion

document draws on these papers and sets out a detailed technical proposal to implement these levels in Australia

and New Zealand. Each of these technical papers, listed below, has been released in Australia to industry for

comment and should be consulted for further information:

Papers 1 and 2 were circulated to stakeholders in October 2011 and are available at

http://www.energyrating.gov.au

Paper 1: Summary of New MEPS Levels for Refrigerator in the USA, October 2011.

Paper 2: Road Map for MEPS3 in Australia and NZ – Issues for Stakeholders in the Alignment with US

MEPS 2014, October 2011.

Papers 3 and 4 are released with this regulatory discussion document and are available from

http://www.energyrating.gov.au

Paper 3: MEPS3 in Australia and NZ – Preliminary Impact Assessment of New MEPS Levels in 2015,

April 2012

Paper 4: Refrigerators and Freezers in Australia and NZ: Technical Support Document on MEPS and

Labelling for 2015 for Energy-using Refrigeration Equipment, April 2012

Stakeholders are encouraged to examine these supporting documents to obtain the detailed explanation or

technical arguments supporting the regulatory proposal. Attachment A to this paper provides a table referencing

the relevant sections of the supporting paper that explain or analyse issues set out in this regulatory discussion

document. The proposals in this document are supported by all jurisdictions involved in the Equipment Energy

Efficiency Program (E3). It carries information about the test method requirement, energy and non-energy

performance requirements as well as energy labelling requirements that are to be bound within the proposed

regulation. This was prepared to facilitate stakeholder comment on these regulatory proposals.

Introduction


Background

Australia and New Zealand1 Governments first set minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for

refrigerators and freezers sold to the public in 1999 (though mandatory energy labelling started on a national basis

in 1992 and earlier in some states). The stringency of those performance levels was increased by a revised

regulation coming into effect in 20052.

MEPS levels have not had significant changes since about 2005 in Australia (since 2007 in New Zealand). In order

to keep up with changes with international standards for refrigerators, the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3)

Committee is exploring potential revisions to existing MEPS to align them with new levels in the USA. Alignment

of standards represents best practice and an opportunity to harmonise our regional standards with those to be

used by major trading nations.

Summary of the Proposal

This regulatory discussion document has been produced to inform stakeholders about options under consideration

to update existing MEPS and labelling requirements for household refrigerators and freezers sold in Australia and

New Zealand, including:

Increase to the stringency of MEPS for equipment used to refrigerate and freeze food and beverages in Australia and New Zealand from no earlier than April 2015, in line with standards being introduced in the US;

Expand the coverage of existing regulation by including cooling and storing refrigeration equipment like beverage coolers including a warning label. This would overcome confusion about the equipment types subject to regulation;

Align the existing Australia/New Zealand test method with the IEC test method;

Consequential changes to the energy labelling algorithms and the energy label.

In releasing this document, the E3 Committee seeks to notify industry that these options are under consideration

and invite industry‟s initial feedback to inform next steps. After reviewing submissions, the next step would be to

examine the economic justification for this regulatory option as compared to other alternatives and conduct

further consultation with industry.

This document proposes a further increase to the stringency of minimum energy performance standards for

energy using equipment for freezing, refrigerating, cooling and storing food and beverages (perishable or non-

perishable) (hereafter described as domestic refrigeration equipment) while retaining existing non-energy

performance requirements (these include the pull down test and the operating temperature performance test, both

which specify temperature related performance requirements). This third regulatory MEPS proposal is targeted to

commence not earlier than April 2015.

1 MEPS came into force in 2003 in New Zealand. 2 In 2010, several changes were made to the regulatory system with respect to MEPS and energy labelling for refrigerators and freezers.

A new label was introduced as well as a new test method. In addition, the basis for MEPS was altered from an average energy

requirement to a maximum energy requirement as set out in EES (2008). The MEPS 2010 level is regarded as technically equivalent to

MEPS 2005.

Executive Summary

Regulatory Discussion Document 3

The proposed regulation in 2015 will create minimum energy performance standards for household refrigerators

and freezers that will be equivalent to the levels already announced in the USA in 2011 and scheduled for

introduction in that country during 2014. The previous regulatory proposal in 2005 in Australia and New Zealand

also followed MEPS levels set in the USA Government regulation in 2001, so refrigeration stakeholders are familiar

with this policy of adopting a lagged implementation approach.

This regulatory discussion document also specifies changes to the proposed test methods (to align with the IEC test

method), the determination of energy consumption, non-energy regulatory requirements and consequential

changes to the energy labelling algorithms and the energy label.

The document also specifies an expanded range of energy-using equipment to be included within the scope of the

regulations (principally cooling and storing equipment used for beverages) which will commence with initial MEPS

from 2015 in Australia and New Zealand and become more stringent from 2018 (again aligning with US MEPS

requirements scheduled for implementation in 2017 in that country). These products will be required to carry a

warning label where the storage temperatures are not suitable for perishable items.

Consultation

Interested persons are invited to provide their views about any aspect of the regulatory proposals set out in this

Regulatory Discussion Document. These submissions should be sent to:

Ros Wallace

Appliance Energy Efficiency Branch

Department of Energy Efficiency and Climate Change

GPO Box 854

Canberra ACT 2601

Email: [email protected]

In New Zealand, please send submissions to:

Heidi Irion

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)

PO Box 344

Wellington

New Zealand

Email: [email protected]

Submissions should be sent by the close of business 30th September 2012.

To facilitate submissions, the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency are willing to hold public

consultations in Australia and New Zealand if sufficient interest is expressed by stakeholders. This will allow the

project consultants and DCCEE staff to explain the regulatory proposal in detail. These briefings could be held in

Sydney and Auckland. Interested attendees are asked to contact Ms Wallace (Australia) or Ms Irion (New Zealand)

by email to register their interest by 31st August 2012.


Before any regulatory proposal will proceed, the E3 Committee will inform stakeholders of its recommendations to

the Ministerial Council. Stakeholders will have later opportunities to provide comments on this regulatory

proposal (for example during the regulatory impact assessment process and through the consultation processes

held by Standards Australia). This consultation process provides an initial opportunity to allow interested

stakeholders to help shape the form of any future regulation.

Australian and New Zealand Regulatory Policy

Regulatory Framework

This regulatory discussion document has been commissioned by the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program,

which comprises representatives of government agencies that promote energy efficiency in the Australian

Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand governments. E3 develops, amongst other things, minimum

energy performance standards (MEPS) and mandatory energy performance labelling (MEPL) for appliances and

equipment, with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of products sold in Australia and New Zealand.

The use of energy efficient products by businesses and consumers can:

Enhance economic growth through increased productivity

Improve energy security by reducing energy demand

Assist with energy affordability by reducing consumer energy costs

Defer the need for more expensive energy supply by making better use of existing energy

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation to contribute to a response to climate change.

Australia and New Zealand work jointly through the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program to raise the

energy performance of products sold in both markets through setting common standards and labelling. This

collaboration honours our commitments under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA) and

Closer Economic Relations (CER) Agreement and helps reduce business compliance costs.

Technical Aspects of the Proposal

Stakeholders are specifically invited to comment upon the prospective policy proposal from the E3 committee set

out in this paper.

First, Government agencies want to overcome past confusion about the scope of equipment covered by refrigerator

and freezer regulation by more clearly stating the scope of the intended regulation. Government agencies propose

that all mains electricity-using equipment that stores, cools, refrigerates or freezes food or beverages of any kind,

whether perishable or not (hereafter called foodstuffs) in Australian and New Zealand homes should be regulated

for energy efficiency.

This policy position would be achieved by increasing the stringency of the present regulation and also expanding

the scope of the standard to include the remainder of such equipment types not already covered by regulation. In

the past, some suppliers have argued that energy-using equipment used for cooling or storing beverages or non-

perishable items was not covered by the existing regulatory scope. They argued that only freezing and refrigerating

equipment should be covered. E3 does not agree because all these cooling products used energy and compete for

sales with substitutable refrigerating appliances. The revised regulatory proposal is to mandate MEPS and a


modified warning label. Indeed, the only products that would be considered to be outside of the scope of this

regulatory proposal are those already included under the commercial refrigeration standard AS17313 or those that

are specifically excluded from the scope4. It is envisaged that in 2015, the existing energy rating label would

continue to be mandatory for most equipment types but a warning label would be required for all cooled

appliances and dedicated wine storage cabinets as defined in the standard.

Secondly, Governments are looking at adopting the forthcoming IEC test method for all products. The IEC has

developed specific approaches to measure cooling and storing equipment that operate above a storage temperature

of 4°C, so all equipment covered by this proposal can be measured accurately by internationally-accepted test

methods. The adoption of the IEC test method would require a small number of regional parameters and

requirements to be specified. There are also a number of transition matters that would need to be considered to

assist all parties to migrate from the previously used Australian and New Zealand regional standard

(AS/NZS4474.1). Many of these issues have been set out in this regulatory discussion document (with more detail

in the associated technical support document). The items to be included in the final test method determination

would be canvassed in detail in the regulatory impact statement stage of the regulatory proposal.

The specific IEC standards to be used would be IEC 62552 parts 1 to 3. They are currently at the committee draft

stage of the IEC process but are expected to be finalised in 2013. The Australian and New Zealand regulatory

proposal comes into effect in 2015. Governments have long-signalled a desire to use an international test method

rather than continue to support a unique regional standard for Australia and New Zealand. Importantly, the US

has substantially aligned with the proposed IEC test method. Australia and New Zealand aligning with the

proposed IEC test method actually minimises the technical changes required in adopting the US energy

performance requirements in this region. With the Japanese Government also likely to move to the IEC test

method and Europe and other major manufacturing economies looking to adopt it in the medium term, the use of

the proposed IEC test method together with the US 2014 energy performance requirements in our region

represents best practice and an opportunity to harmonise our regional standards with those to be used by major

trading nations.

Thirdly, in order to give stakeholders clarity on our intended strategy for future regulations, we advise that

government agencies plan to continue to follow the US Government minimum energy performance standards in

regulating this type of energy-using equipment for the future. The Australian and New Zealand Governments have

previously adopted a policy of matching world best regulatory practice but, to give the local industry certainty of

regulatory direction and a reasonable timeframe during which standards will not change, government agencies

want to propose that they will follow the US Department of Energy when considering future rounds of minimum

energy performance standard improvements for these equipment types. This formal link to use change by the US

Government as the trigger for the fourth round of performance improvement should give all stakeholders certainty

about the regulatory intention for these types of equipment.

Fourthly, the regulatory proposal is to be scheduled to commence from no earlier than April 2015. Some sections of

industry have asked to change the commencement of regulations from October (as occurred in the past) to April as

this month better suits product development cycles undertaken by global suppliers and better fits with the

seasonality of sales of these types of products.

Fifthly, the basis for mandatory energy performance labelling needs to accommodate the proposed IEC test

method. It must take into account testing at different set points, as well as considering the energy impacts that

would occur from the MEPS proposals. This means transitional labelling and registration arrangements need to be

established to provide certainty to industry while moving towards the new scheme. These arrangements would be

3 Part of this proposal now extends the scope of MEPS and labelling to commercial products that are actively marketed into the

household sector – details are set out in Part 3 of this proposal. 4 AS/NZS4474.2 limits its scope to mains powered products that use the vapour compression cycle. A number of product configurations

are currently excluded from MEPS and labelling such as products for caravans <60L, portable products <30L and products <30L where

refrigeration is secondary. There are no specific proposals to alter this scope under this regulatory proposal.


detailed in the regulatory impact statement, but interested stakeholders are invited to make submissions on this

topic immediately to canvass a range of sensible transitional arrangements.

Paper Structure

The regulatory proposals set out in the remainder of this regulatory discussion document fall into three parts. The

first part describes the proposal to increase the stringency of minimum energy performance standards for freezing

and refrigerating equipment that is already regulated. The second part sets out proposals for a revised approach to

energy labelling based on the new IEC test method. The third part describes the proposal to remove any

uncertainty surrounding the application of the regulation to energy-using equipment used to freeze, refrigerate,

cool or store foodstuffs in Australian and New Zealand homes. Together, this regulatory proposal and the existing

standards for commercial refrigeration AS1731, demonstrate the intention of government agencies to cover all the

equipment sold for these purposes in Australia and New Zealand.


Introduction

This part proposes revised, more stringent MEPS and revised mandatory energy performance labelling standards

for refrigerators and freezers sold in Australia and New Zealand from no earlier than April 2015. The MEPS levels

proposed are based on the levels coming into effect in 2014 in the USA which have already been released to US

stakeholders (the US levels were announced in 2011). The proposed requirements for adapting these US levels to

equivalent standards in Australia and New Zealand are described in this paper. Further detail of the associated

technical issues is set out in the supporting documents (Attachment A).

In keeping with the desire to align with USA 2014 MEPS levels that are scheduled to commence in 2015 here, this

section explains how the US MEPS have been adjusted to reflect an equivalent stringency for Australia and New

Zealand equipment under the new IEC test method.

2015 Proposal

The following table records the published US MEPS levels and quantifies the technical adjustments that are

proposed to obtain equivalent MEPS levels under the forthcoming AS/NZS test method (based on IEC).

Table 1: MEPS Levels for AS/NZS Groups in 2015

AS/NZS appliance designation Group

US MEPS 2014 Category

US MEPS 2014 Fixed

kWh/y

US Variable

kWh/y/adj L Overall Adjustment

AS/NZS MEPS 2015 Fixed Kf

kWh/y

AS/NZS MEPS 2015 Variable Kv

kWh/y/adj L

AS/NZS Freezer Adjustment Factor

1 3A 201.6 0.2497 1.05127 211.9 0.2625 1.00

2 1A 193.6 0.2398 0.905515 175.3 0.2171 1.36

3 1 225 0.2822 1.163022 261.7 0.3282 1.57

4 2 225 0.2822 1.061727 238.9 0.2996 1.79

5T 3 233.7 0.2850 1.061999 248.2 0.3027 1.79

5B 5 317 0.3125 1.060761 336.3 0.3315 1.79

5S 4 297.8 0.3005 1.062163 316.3 0.3192 1.79

6U 8 193.7 0.1967 1.25687 243.5 0.2472 1.79

6C 10 107.8 0.2574 1.527108 164.6 0.3931 1.79

7 9 228.3 0.3044 1.25687 286.9 0.3826 1.79

Part 1: Revised MEPS & MEPL for Freezing

and Refrigerating Equipment


Equation M1: MEPS 2015 = Kf + (Kv × Vadj tot ) + Awi + Abi

Where:

Kf = fixed allowance factor for its appliance group.(kWh/year)

Kv = variable allowance factor. (kWh/y/L)

Vadj tot = total adjusted volume. (Refer to Clause 2.5) (litres)

Awi = an allowance of 52 kWh/y which applies where an appliance has a „through-the-door ice dispenser‟, i.e.

it has an automatic ice-maker coupled with a device for delivery on demand of ice externally through a door.

This allowance also applies if the through-the-door dispenser also dispenses chilled water.

Abi = an allowance of 40 kWh/y for all Groups (except Group 5S = 100 kWh/year where an appliance

complies with the requirements for a built-in product.

The overall adjustment includes the following factors:

Field factor adjustments for separate freezers in the US test method

Small differences in internal target temperatures

Small differences in external ambient temperature

Conversion from MEPS as an average criteria (US) to a maximum permitted energy criteria (AS/NZS).

The prospective MEPS levels include the following allowances for products with specific features. The MEPS levels

defined in Table 1 and Equation M1 are then modified by these additional allowances (where applicable):

Through the door ice dispenser: For products with this feature, an additional allowance of 52

kWh/year on top of the calculated MEPS level as set out in Equation M1.

Built-in Products: Products that qualify as built-in under the US definition (must be specifically

designed for built-in applications and a volume of more than 219 litres, would be provided an additional

allowance of 40 kWh/year for all Groups (except Group 5S, which has an allowance of 100 kWh/year) on

top of the calculated MEPS level as set out in Equation M1.

Under current regulations in Australia and New Zealand, allowances are provided for other features, such as:

Additional door allowances

Adaptive defrost

Additional door allowances are not included in US 2014 MEPS levels and would not be included in proposed

Australian and New Zealand MEPS levels for 2015. Allowances for adaptive defrost are no longer required because

the IEC test method can take these effects into account by adjustment of the test data (so a separate allowance is

not necessary).

No specific allowance is being considered in Australia and New Zealand to deal with compact products, as defined

in the US scheme. Government agencies understand that some suppliers may wish to make representation on this

issue. Suppliers will need to explain the rationale for any proposed allowance and to provide test report data

substantiating the need for such an allowance.


Test method issues when measuring MEPS and MEPL

As stated, the test method for energy and performance would be based in the forthcoming standard IEC62552

Parts 1 to 3.

In order to align the Australia and New Zealand MEPS levels in 2015 with US 2014 MEPS levels, a small number of

adjustments to the US levels are required. These adjustments bring the calculation of energy under the IEC test

method as close as possible to the technical requirements under the US test method. None of the MEPS level

adjustments require additional testing by suppliers or third party facilities – all adjustments are applied either to

the MEPS levels themselves or ex-post to the measured data declared under the IEC test method. The five

adjustments5 are:

Temperatures:

Under the US test method there are a range of small differences in the defined temperature parameters for the test.

These have mostly occurred as the US continues to use integer values in degrees Fahrenheit rather than degrees

Celsius to define test conditions. Corrections for these parameters have been explicitly included in the MEPS level

conversions (see Table 1).

Defrost Interval:

Under the US test method, so called long-time automatic defrost systems have their defrost interval based on

declared values for least and maximum compressor run time between defrosts. The most common values declared

in the US gives a defrost interval equivalent of 60 hours (elapsed time for a single speed compressor). It is

proposed to apply this defrost interval for the purposes of energy calculations for MEPS assessment. This

adjustment only affects products with a variable frost free system. This adjustment replaces the previous adaptive

defrost allowance.

Temperature During Defrost and Recovery:

Under the US test method, the compartment temperature is effectively determined over the steady-state part of the

whole defrost control cycle. Under the IEC test method the temperature is measured over the whole defrost control

cycle (steady state plus defrost and recovery). For the purposes of MEPS declarations, the supplier will be required

to assume that the value for Thdf is zero for all compartments when determining the compartment temperature

for each test point. While this will not change the measured energy for the selected test point, it will change the

calculated compartment temperature. This may in turn affect the calculated energy consumption where this is

derived from interpolation. This adjustment only affects products with a frost-free system.

Humidity Map for Ambient Controlled Anti-Condensation Heaters:

For ambient controlled anti-condensation heaters, the US specifies its own regional humidity map. This is different

to the humidity map currently used in Australia and New Zealand as defined in AS/NZS4474.1. For the purposes of

MEPS assessment, it is envisaged that suppliers shall use the US humidity map to calculate the impact of ambient

controlled anti-condensation heaters6.

Other Factors:

The Technical Support Document (Paper 4) Annex B explains two other minor adjustments to account for

differences between the US test method and the new IEC test method:

Internal icemakers (net effects are excluded).

Freezer Adjustment Factor for adjusted volume (recalculated based on IEC operating temperatures).

5 The volume measurement method used in the US and IEC are the same so no adjustment is required. However, the volume

measurement method is different to the previous AS/NZS4474.1 approach. 6 Note that for energy labelling, the Australian/NZ humidity map must be used to determine energy consumption.


Introduction of Dynamic Energy Consumption Measurement

The overall objective of mandatory energy performance labelling is to provide advice and guidance to consumers

when they are purchasing a new refrigerator or freezer. Consumers use the information to help them select a

comparable product that should use less energy.

Consultants advising government agencies recommend testing which reflects typical use of a refrigerator or freezer

in Australia and New Zealand.

The scheme under consideration calculates energy consumption values using two main components:

An estimate of the energy consumption of the refrigerator or freezer in ambient temperature conditions but without any user interaction (static energy consumption).

The energy consumption associated with normal levels of user interaction with the product (so called effects of processing load or dynamic energy consumption).

The new IEC test method allows the energy consumption of these components to be calculated from the measured

characteristics as set out in the test method. At present no other country has formally announced the use of static

and dynamic energy consumption7 though it does represent best practice in terms of creating a test that reflects

consumer usage while still being repeatable and reproducible in a test facility.

The issue of indoor temperatures where refrigeration appliances usually operate is important and is the most

important driver in seasonal variations in energy consumption. The vast majority of household refrigeration

products operate in conditioned spaces and not outdoors. Even where they operate in unconditioned spaces, the

overall average temperature is the key driver and the energy at two ambient temperatures allows accurate

estimation of energy use across a range of ambient temperatures8.

In terms of user interactions, every consumer will be different, so the label representations about energy

consumption have to be based on typical comparative values. A move to using both static and dynamic energy

consumption to be included in the label algorithm is being considered by energy regulators as part of the next

energy labelling upgrade in 20159. The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) committee seeks views from all

stakeholder groups to this change in approach.

7 The current Japanese test method JIS C9801-2006 includes a mixture of static and dynamic components and it is expected that Japan,

when they adopt the new IEC test method, will use both static and dynamic components in a way to provide equivalent values. However

no formal announcement has been made at this stage.

8 Inclusion of regional impacts are not proposed for the energy label but could be used as part of a regional assessment of refrigeration

products.

9 The likely contribution of dynamic energy consumption to total energy consumption is in the range 20% to 40% for labelling purposes

(i.e. static energy consumption continues to account for a majority of total energy). The net impact of the assumed dynamic user load for

each model is a function of the measured refrigeration system efficiency of that model – a more efficient refrigeration system will have a

smaller total dynamic energy consumption included on the energy label.

Part 2: Energy Labelling Proposals


Test Method Issues

It is envisaged that the test method for energy labelling will be based on the proposed IEC test method, which does

not require any significant conversions or adjustments.

There are a few key differences between how energy consumption will be determined for energy labelling when

compared to how it will be determined for MEPS. For energy labelling the key differences are:

Energy consumption is determined at an ambient temperature of 16°C and 32°C (refer IEC Part 3 Annex B)10

Temperature deviation during defrost and recovery11 is included in the compartment temperature determination (refer IEC Part 3 Annex C)

Defrost interval used for energy labelling at an ambient temperature of 16°C and 32°C (refer IEC Part 3 Annex D)12

The AS/NZS humidity map is used to calculate the additional energy consumption of ambient controlled anti-condensation heaters13.

Overall Energy Consumption Determination

The technical basis for the prospective changes to energy labelling below is set out in detail in the Technical

Support Document (Paper 4) Annex E.

The proposed approach for labelling is scheduled to start from April 2015 using the IEC test method (part 3) for

energy consumption. Each component of that test would be separately reported in supplier declarations.

The comparative energy consumption reported on the label would be determined according to three equations. The

first calculates daily energy consumption at each ambient temperature:

Equation L1:

Edaily P 24 (Edf 24)

tdf

Where:

– Edaily is the energy in Wh per day – 24 is hours per day – P is the steady state power in watts for the selected control setting as per Annex B. – ΔEdf is the representative incremental energy of a defrost and recovery event in Wh in accordance

with Annex C (see C.6). (0 for products without automatic defrost, except cyclic products) – tdf is the estimated defrost interval in hours in accordance with Annex D.

10 Note only 32°C ambient data is used for MEPS assessment. 11 This temperature deviation is not included for MEPS assessment. 12 A fixed value of 60 hours is included for MEPS assessment at an ambient temperature of 32°C only. 13 The US humidity map is used for MEPS assessment. Technical Support Document (Paper 4) B.4 sets out both humidity maps.


The daily energy at each ambient temperature is then weighted in a second equation in accordance with an

algorithm to give an estimate of the static energy consumption (SEC):

Equation L2: EStatic = 365 F EDaily-16C + 365 (1 – F) EDaily-32C

Where EStatic is the estimated energy consumption for the target ambient temperature with no user

interaction and F is proposed as 0.66.

The final annual energy consumption shown on the energy label is the static energy consumption plus the

component from user interaction as well as any energy from ambient controlled anti-condensation heaters (where

applicable):

Equation L3: EAnnual = EStatic + 365 Edynamic + Eamb-anti-cond

Edynamic is the additional dynamic energy associated with load processing (see Technical Support Document

(Paper 4) E.5 for details)

Eamb-anti-cond is the additional energy associated with ambient controlled anti-condensation heaters (where

applicable) using the existing AS/NZS humidity map (IEC Part 3 Annex F)

EAnnual is the energy value (Comparative Energy Consumption) that would appear on the energy label.

Star Rating Algorithm

With regards to substantially changing the existing energy consumption arrangements for the mandatory label,

experts have not yet proposed a new algorithm to calculate star ratings. A proposal for a revised star rating

algorithm will be developed after stakeholders comments have been received on the labelling equations based on

the comparative energy consumption (CEC) value.

The issues associated with the prospective new energy labelling algorithm are listed in the technical support

document (Paper 4) E.8.

Experts will look to develop a proposed algorithm later in 2012 after submissions have been evaluated.

Governments are also considering including rated volume on the energy label as a means of facilitating consumer

comparisons where product shapes and configurations are different. This information will be consistent with data

in the energy rating website. Stakeholders are invited to express views on this specific matter.


Introduction

The new elements covered by this regulatory discussion document reflect a desire to continue to match regulatory

developments within major trading blocs as well as facilitating an orderly migration of unregulated products into a

regulated equipment regime. This section sets out options under consideration to regulate wine storage and

maturation devices and beverage coolers for MEPS and includes a mandatory warning label for these products. It

also clarifies how these rules would be applied to so-called “hybrid” products and commercial products that are

also marketed for residential applications.

Equipment Types Not Previously Regulated

Prospective changes to the scope of MEPS would target wine storage and other cooling devices (such as beverage

coolers) but are expressed in more general terms so as not to limit its application to products sold only for

alcoholic beverages (or indeed beverages in general). The proposal has several elements and government agencies

are keen for affected suppliers to examine the listed options with a view to providing feedback.

At its core, government agencies are investigating the option to regulate these products (miscellaneous beverage

coolers, wine coolers and wine storage cabinets) in Australia and New Zealand by following the US MEPS levels for

these products. The US will finalise these levels in 2014 for implementation in 2017 in that country. Australia and

New Zealand government agencies envisage implementing equivalent MEPS levels for these products in 2018 with

an intermediate step in 2015 for all of these products. This intermediate stage should assist industry to adapt to the

regulatory environment by setting a performance level that bona fide suppliers can easily meet. The additional

time to 2018 will allow industry to build capacity to meet the much more stringent levels that are likely to be

proposed for 2018.

The initial MEPS level being considered for cooling equipment will be based on the 1999 regulation of refrigeration

equipment in Australia and New Zealand, and would come into effect from no earlier than April 2015.

E3 does not propose to require (nor will it permit) energy labelling of these products using the existing energy

rating labelling scheme. E3 believes that the use of the well-known star rating image will cause public confusion if

used on substitutable refrigeration products that are not suitable for storage of perishable foods. To help to clarify

this issue, a warning label is being considered for all appliances that have a designation of cooled appliances under

AS/NZS4474.1-2007 (Clause 1.3.18). This would include beverage coolers and dedicated wine storage cabinets.

A voluntary (high efficiency) labelling scheme may be developed/offered from 2015 for equipment meeting the

agreed 2018 MEPS levels, should stakeholders express an interest in such a scheme. Details of the US proposals for

2017 for miscellaneous refrigeration products are set out in the technical support document (Paper 4) Annex G

(G.1). More details regarding the proposals for regulating these products in 2015 are contained in the technical

support document (Paper 4) Annex G (G.2). An overview of these details is set out below.

Part 3: Clarification and Expansion of

Regulatory Coverage


Proposal to Regulate These Products

In the past, some stakeholders have queried whether the intent of the current regulation was to capture the

following two products:

Wine cooling devices excluded from AS/NZS 4474 that have compartments that refrigerate beverages or other foodstuffs to below 4°C.

Commercial refrigeration equipment registered under AS 1731 but marketed and sold to Australian and New Zealand consumers for use in their homes.

Government agencies collectively take the view that these equipment types were always intended to be part of

energy efficiency regulations. As part of this regulatory proposal, these products will be explicitly included and

there is also a clear policy direction envisaged to expand the scope to include all refrigeration products that operate

at a storage temperature above 4°C.

Cooling Equipment (4°C to 11°C) and Storing Equipment (12°C and above)

To prevent any future confusion, government agencies will seek to take the following steps in the implementation

of the prospective new regulation.

Clarification of compartment definitions: Under the IEC test method the following additions and clarifications would be made regarding compartment

definitions:

Wine storage compartments are compartments that are used exclusively for the maturation of wine and only have storage space for wine bottles14;

Cellar compartments are used for the storage of drinks and non-perishable items and include any compartments not classified as wine storage or classified as any other specific compartment type – these are also referred to as beverage storage compartments;

Any compartment that is unable to operate below an average compartment temperature of 12°C for energy testing shall be classified as a pantry compartment for energy testing purposes, irrespective of its intended use.

If a compartment control allows it to operate continuously at a temperature of less than +4°C during the energy

test conditions at both ambient test temperatures, then it would need to be classified as a fresh food compartment

for energy testing purposes according to IEC compartment classifications. Compartments that have any significant

storage space for any items other than wine bottles would be classified as a cellar compartment (or other applicable

compartment type, depending on the temperature of operation).

New Groups: Under the revised AS/NZS 4474.2 two new appliance group definitions are envisaged to cover dedicated wine

storage cabinets and miscellaneous refrigeration products (including beverage coolers):

Group 8 will include products that have one or more dedicated wine storage compartments and no other compartment type (with strict limits on the volume allocated for other types of storage – see proposals for changes to designation). Dedicated wine storage cabinets will be split into automatic defrost (8A) and manual defrost (8M) types.

Group 9 will be called Miscellaneous Refrigeration will include products that have one or more cellar or pantry compartments (for beverage storage) and no other compartment type. It will also include other products where the coldest compartment is warmer than fresh food (but excludes Group 8 products). Effectively it will include all products not otherwise classified into other groups.

14 The IEC test method defines the storage volume of wine storage compartments in terms of the number of 750ml wine bottles that can

be carried.


Test Method: Wine storage compartments and beverage cooling (cellar) compartments will have an energy target temperature of

12°C. If the product is unable to operate at below 12°C on the coldest setting for energy testing at both ambient

temperatures it will be classified as a pantry (17°C). Dedicated wine storage cabinets will be required to meet the

performance requirements in the IEC test method for these product types (Part 1 Annex H and Part 2 Annex B).

Miscellaneous beverage coolers will be required to meet the normal performance tests in the IEC standard for

refrigeration products (including the storage test and the pull down test).

MEPS Levels: The following table records the prospective MEPS levels and quantifies the technical adjustments that are

proposed to obtain MEPS requirement under the forthcoming AS/NZS test method (based on IEC).

Table 2: MEPS Levels for new AS/NZS Groups 8 and 9 from 2015

AS/NZS Group

AS/NZS 1999 Group

AS/NZS Fixed

kWh/y

AS/NZS Variable

kWh/y/adj L Overall Adjustment

AS/NZS MEPS 2015 Fixed Kf

kWh/y

AS/NZS MEPS 2015 Variable

Kv kWh/y/adjL

Freezer Adjustment Factor AS/NZS

8A 3 330 0.800 1.05127 347 0.8410 0.71

8M 3 330 0.800 1.05127 347 0.8410 0.71

9 3 330 0.800 1.05127 347 0.8410 0.71

Equation M1: MEPS 2015 = Kf + (Kv × Vadj tot ) + Awi + Abi

Where:

Kf = fixed allowance factor for its appliance group.(kWh/year)

Kv = variable allowance factor. (kWh/y/L)

Vadj tot = total adjusted volume. (Refer to Clause 2.5) (litres)

Awi = an allowance of 52 kWh/y which applies where an appliance has a „through-the-door ice dispenser‟, i.e.

it has an automatic ice-maker coupled with a device for delivery on demand of ice externally through a door.

This allowance also applies if the through-the-door dispenser also dispenses chilled water.

Abi = an allowance of 40 kWh/y for all Groups (except Group 5S = 100 kWh/year where an appliance

complies with the requirements for a built in product.

Note: While it is conceivable that these products may have a through the door ice dispenser or could be built-

in, based on current configurations, this is unlikely.

The overall adjustment has been calculated on the basis that changes to fresh food compartment temperatures will

have the largest impact on energy consumption (equivalent to Group 1). Freezer adjustment factor (0.71) is

calculated on the basis that compartment temperatures for Groups 8A, 8M and 9 are warmer than 4°C with a

coldest operating temperature of less than 12°C (i.e. they can comply with a target temperature for energy of 12°C

in the IEC standard). For products where the coldest operating temperature is more than 12°C, the freezer

adjustment factor is 0.54 (based on an IEC target temperature of 17°C).

The only additional modification that would be required in the standard would be to include a definition of “Wine

storage cabinet” as a designation as follows:


An appliance for storage of wine and containing only, or mostly, wine storage space. It may contain

compartments of other unfrozen types or space for storage of items other than wine. However, not less than 80%

of the total volume (or more than 30 litres) of all compartments shall be for storage of wine.

This definition would be necessary to clearly identify separate dedicated wine storage cabinets (Group 8A and 8M)

which are likely to (eventually) have different MEPS levels to miscellaneous beverage coolers (Group 9).

Energy Labelling: In the past, all products within the scope of AS/NZS4474.2 have

been required to carry an energy rating label. Under this

prospective revision, the scope of energy labelling would be

changed so that the existing energy rating label only applies to

products with a product designation of refrigerator, refrigerator-

freezer or freezer (i.e. appliance groups 1 to 7) as defined under the

current Part 1. Products that have a product designation classified

as a “cooled appliance” under AS/NZS4474.1 (i.e. appliance groups

8 and 9) (Clause 1.3.18) would be required to carry a warning label

(similar to the one shown in Figure 1) to make it clear to potential

purchasers that significant parts of the appliance are not suitable

for the storage of fresh or frozen foods. This label would be the

same size as an energy rating label.

Figure 1 –Potential warning label for use on “cooled

appliances”

Effectively the current definition of “cooled appliance” applies only to products where less than 50% of unfrozen

volume is fresh food and/or where less than 80% of frozen volume is freezer. This definition has always been

present in the standard and was devised by all stakeholders in the 1997 edition to prevent misleading claims about

product functionality. This prospective change would merely put this long standing concern into a more concrete

form to protect consumers. E3 is open to the precise wording on such a label, but believes that this overall

approach would resolve many of the current issues.

The label would not show a star rating. The label carries a warning to indicate that the product is not suitable for

the storage of certain foods. Specific stakeholder feedback on the wording and layout of these labels is sought.

Case 1: Where the product is classified as a cooled appliance because the unfrozen compartments are <50% fresh

food - Warning (fresh)

Warning: Not suitable for the storage of perishable food

Case 2: Where the product is classified as a cooled appliance because the frozen compartments are <80% freezer -

Warning (freezer)

Warning: Not suitable for the long term storage of frozen foods


Note that only the unfrozen variant is shown above. Frozen labels would look the same but with modified wording

for the warning.

Cooled appliances would still be subject to the relevant MEPS level for the relevant group and would still require

testing and registration.

Hybrid Products

The scope of AS/NZS4474.2-2009 states that “Separate stand alone wine storage cabinets are not specifically

within the scope of this Standard.”

However, section 1.9 states that:

Any cabinet which has other standard compartments in addition to a wine storage compartment is included

within the scope of this Standard and shall meet all the relevant performance requirements for products within

the scope of energy labelling and MEPS.

The text of these clauses is very clear and is intended to provide rules on when a “hybrid15” product is included or

excluded from the regulatory requirements.

As noted previously, an area of confusion in the past has been with beverage storage products. This has arisen

because the standard defines a refrigerator or freezer as a product for the storage of “foodstuffs” and the standard

states that “foodstuffs” “require refrigeration at specified temperature conditions”. (AS/NZS4474.1-2007 section

1.3.11). Some suppliers have argued that certain beverages (e.g. beer or wine) do not “require” refrigeration at

specified temperatures (i.e. the foodstuffs are not considered to be perishable), so products that are used

exclusively for the storage of such beverages should be excluded. This has also created confusion about hybrid

products that combine beverage storage and wine storage into the one product. It is the opinion of regulatory

authorities that there is no cogent reason why these types of products should be excluded from MEPS and labelling

requirements.

The prospective standards revision would alleviate nearly all of these previous issues because all of the products

under discussion will be included within the scope of the regulations. As long as the appliance group is clearly

identifiable for any possible configuration, and the product designation is also clear, then the application of MEPS

and labelling will be unequivocally defined.

Commercial Refrigeration Units Marketed and Sold into the Domestic Market

Government regulatory agencies have long defended the more stringent MEPS requirements of domestic

refrigeration from unfair competition from commercial refrigeration units of a comparable size and volume. The

MEPS requirements for commercial equipment are weaker than those mandated for domestic refrigeration for a

variety of reasons that are not the subject of this report. Furthermore, as another point of difference commercial

refrigeration is not subject to mandatory energy rating label requirements (in contrast to domestic refrigerators) as

energy labelling was not considered an effective means to improve the information flow to potential customers.

15 A hybrid product in this context is one where some functions are normally regulated, but other functions are not normally regulated.


Those differences, together with state and territory laws couched in terms of the intended sector of sale

(commercial Vs residential), were thought sufficient to distinguish domestic refrigerators and freezers from

commercial forms of equipment. Most registering jurisdictions, however, report instances of suppliers attempting

to market commercial refrigeration equipment to residential consumers.

Government regulatory agencies are now investigating the option to adopt the following policies and practices

from April 2015 to ensure a fair and level playing field:

Any equipment sold to residential consumers would need to meet the MEPS levels of that appliance group as specified in the revised edition of AS/NZS 4474.2. It would not be accepted as an excuse that the equipment is registered under AS 1731 (commercial refrigeration - Refrigerated Display Cabinets).

Regulators are less likely to would refrain from taking action where a supplier includes a prominent statement in the product literature, in the warranty and a label on the product itself to the effect that “This product does not meet the minimum energy requirements for a domestic refrigerator as it is not intended for use in the home”. In such cases, regulators would focus their action toward the retailer selling such equipment to unwitting consumers.


EES 2008, Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement of proposed revisions to the method of test and energy

labelling algorithms for household refrigerators and freezers, prepared by Energy Efficient Strategies for E3,

Report 2008/04, June 2008, see http://www.energyrating.gov.au/resources/program-

publications/?viewPublicationID=345.

EES 2011a, Paper 1: Summary of New MEPS Levels for Refrigerator in the USA, prepared by Energy Efficient

Strategies for DCCEE, October 2011, see http://www.energyrating.gov.au/blog/resources/events-

calendar/24102011/

EES 2011b, Paper 2: Road Map for MEPS3 in Australia and NZ – Issues for Stakeholders in the Alignment with

US MEPS 2014, prepared by Energy Efficient Strategies for DCCEE, October 2011, see

http://www.energyrating.gov.au/blog/resources/events-calendar/24102011/

EES 2012a, Paper 3: MEPS3 in Australia and NZ – Preliminary Impact Assessment of New MEPS Levels in 2015,

prepared by Energy Efficient Strategies for DCCEE, April 2012. See www.energyrating.gov.au under Program

Publications.

EES 2012b, Paper 4: Refrigerators and Freezers in Australia and NZ: Technical Support Document on MEPS

and Labelling for 2015 for Energy-using Refrigeration Equipment, prepared by Energy Efficient Strategies for

DCCEE, April 2012. See www.energyrating.gov.au under Program Publications.

International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) Draft Test Methods

The following draft standards were issued in January 2012:

IEC 59M/33/CD: IEC 62552-1 Ed 1.0: Household refrigerating appliances –

Characteristics and test methods - Part 1: General Requirements;


Characteristics and test methods – Part 2 – Performance Requirements;


Characteristics and test methods - Part 3: Energy Consumption and Volume.

Australian and New Zealand Standards

AS/NZS4474.1-2007 Performance of household electrical appliances — Refrigerating appliances Part 1: Energy consumption and performance.

Amendment 1 to Part 1 2 was published in October 2008, and Amendment 2 was published in March

2011.

References

http://www.energyrating.gov.au/resources/program-publications/?viewPublicationID=345

http://www.energyrating.gov.au/resources/program-publications/?viewPublicationID=345







AS/NZS4474.2-2009 Performance of household electrical appliances — Refrigerating

Appliances Part 2: Energy labelling and minimum energy performance standard

requirements.

Amendment 1 to Part 2 was published in March 2011.

US Department of Energy (DOE) MEPS 2014 Documents

US regulatory documents can usually be obtained from the Government Printing Office Website www.gpo.gov.

Code of Federal Regulations can be downloaded from www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/. The latest regulations are available

from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-

idx?c=ecfr&tpl=%2Findex.tpl

US DOE announced a final rule for revised MEPS levels for household refrigerators and freezers on 25 August

2011.

The relevant documents are:

Final Rule - Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Refrigerators, Refrigerator-

Freezers, and Freezers (332 pages);

Technical Support Document (1031 pages);

Notice of Data Availability (NODA) for refrigerators and freezers (5 pages);

Using the Experience Curve Approach for Appliance Price Forecasting (16 pages).

These documents are available from:

www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/refrigerators_freezers.html

In addition, the US finalised a new test procedure for refrigerators and freezers:

Federal Register,/ Vol. 75, No. 241, Thursday, December 16, 2010, Rules and Regulations.

Page 78810, 10 CFR Part 430 Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test

Procedures for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers; Final Rule and Interim

Final Rule (66 pages).

Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 16, Wednesday, January 25, 2012, page 3559, Energy

Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures for Refrigerators,

Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers – Final Rule (21 pages)

The amended Code of Federal Regulations (CFR430) with the new MEPS levels was formally published in the

Federal Register on 15 September 2011 (Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2011 / Rules

and Regulations, page 57516) – see www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=FR

These new MEPS levels come into force on 15 September 2014. The source documents on the above website should

be consulted for details.

http://www.gpo.gov/

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=%2Findex.tpl



Title 10: Energy - US Code of Federal Regulations PART 429—CERTIFICATION, COMPLIANCE, AND

ENFORCEMENT FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT. Available from US Government Printing Office Electronic Code

of Federal Regulations http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=%2Findex.tpl

Title 10: Energy - US Code of Federal Regulations PART 430—ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR

CONSUMER PRODUCTS. Available from US Government Printing Office www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/ - search for

10CFR430.

US DOE MEPS 2017 Documents – wine storage and miscellaneous refrigeration

US regulatory documents for wine chillers and miscellaneous refrigeration products are available on:

www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/refrigerators_freezers.html

Of particular importance are:

Energy Conservation Standards: Rulemaking Framework Document for Wine Chillers and Miscellaneous

Refrigeration Products, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building

Technologies Program, 6 February, 2012

Framework Public Meeting for Wine Chillers and Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products, presentation by Lucas

Adin, US DOE, 22 February 2012.



The following tables provide an index of key issues in the supporting documents that are covered by this

Regulatory discussion document .

Paper 1: Summary of new MEPS levels for refrigerators and freezers in the USA, October 2011.

This paper focuses on the US MEPS levels and changes within that jurisdiction.

Section Topic Summary

1 Changes to US Test Method Outlines differences in old and new US test method

2 Changes to Product Categories for

MEPS

Details addition of new MEPS categories for 2014

3 Changes to US MEPS levels Compares 2001 and 2014 MEPS levels for selected

groups

Paper 2: Road Map for MEPS3 in Australia and NZ – Issues for stakeholders in the alignment with

US MEPS 2014, October 2011.

This document sets out the initial approach to be used for adoption of the US 2014 MEPS levels in Australia and

NZ in 2015 and points to be considered when using IEC test method.


Main Key Issues for Discussion Outlines main issues for consideration in adaptation of

US 2014 MEPS for Australia and NZ

App A Test Method Issues Sets out key test method related issues, IEC vs US

method

App B Performance Requirements Lists current performance requirements in

AS/NZS4474.1 and how these relate to IEC

requirements, looks at options for transition from

AS/NZS to IEC requirements

App C Product coverage and scope Examines differences in scope of US and AS/NZS

products

App D MEPS Levels and Associated Issues Looks at US categories and proposes approaches to

simplify and consolidate US categories into AS/NZS

Groups through the use of feature allowances

Attachment A – Index of supporting

documents


Paper 3: MEPS3 in Australia and NZ – preliminary impact assessment of new MEPS Levels in 2015,

April 2012.

Outlines the likely impact of the US 2014 MEPS levels on 2011 models in Australia and NZ when taking into

account impacts of test method change.


1 Test Method Impacts Looks at energy impacts of the change in test method,

focusing mostly on change of compartment

temperatures and energy, using test report data

submitted to regulators.

2 Preliminary MEPS Impacts Provides a preliminary estimate of the market impact

of the US 2014 MEPS levels on 2011 models once

differences in test method have been taken into

account.

Paper 4: Refrigerators and Freezers in Australia and NZ: Technical support document on MEPS

and labelling for 2015 for energy-using refrigeration equipment, April 2012.

Sets out technical background for some of the proposals in this E3 Regulatory discussion document on adaptation

of US MEPS to the IEC test method.


1 Issues where industry input is sought Covers the main issues where industry feedback is

sought – feature allowances, target temperatures for

Group 2/3, compact products, energy labelling

proposals

Annex A IEC test method Provides an overview of the method and key

differences with AS/NZS4474.1, sets out transition

issues

Annex B Test method conversion for

MEPS

Covers all adjustments for test method differences –

US/IEC

B.1 Internal temperatures Differences between US and IEC

B.2 Defrost intervals Approach under IEC to get equivalence to US test

method

B.3 Temperature during defrost Approach under IEC to get equivalence to US test

method

B.4 US Humidity Map Approach under IEC to get equivalence to US test

method

B.5 Field use factors Removal of US field use factors from energy

B.6 Internal icemakers US test method energy for icemakers not included in

IEC

B.7 Freezer adjustment factor FAF calculations under IEC test method

B.8 Average vs Max Energy for MEPS Conversion factor to adjust MEPS average energy (US)

to maximum permitted energy (AS/NZS)

B.9 Summary of conversions factors Details of test method energy corrections based on

temperature differences (Paper 3) and field use factors


Annex C US Categories to AS/NZS

Groups

Maps out process for simplification of US MEPS

categories

C.2 Internal icemakers Elimination of US test method energy

C.3 Through the door icemakers Allowance for through the door icemaker feature

C.4 Built in products Allowance for built in products

C.5 Compact products Issues regarding compact products (no allowance

proposed)

C.6 Door allowance Removal of door allowance (not in US)

C.7 Adaptive defrost allowance Allowance removed now included in defrost interval

(B.2)

Annex D Performance issues How performance requirements can impact efficiency

D.2 Capacity requirements Capacity impacts on efficiency

D.3 Humidity requirements Impact of internal and external humidity on efficiency

Annex E Technical details for energy

labelling

Analysis and technical details to support label proposal

E.3 Indoor ambient temperatures Review of available data

E.4 Energy impact of ambient Energy impact of changes in ambient temperature

E.5 User interactions Possible energy impact of user loads

E.6 Flexibility of operation Option for rewarding flexible internal temperature

control

E.7 Adjusted volume Options for a new approach for adjusted volume

E.8 Labelling algorithm Issues to consider in a revised energy labelling

algorithm

Annex F Compact products Figures of US compact levels and 2011 products, issues

Annex G Wine storage and beverage

coolers

US proposals and AS/NZS interim and long term

proposals

Annex

H

Adjustments to US 2001 MEPS

levels

Review of adjustments in 2005 to adapt US 2001

MEPS

Annex I Check list of issues for Part 2 Issues that need to be moved into Part 2 when IEC test

method is adopted as Part 1

Regulatory Discussion Document

Government agency proposed pathway to regulate

refrigeration equipment sold to consumers in Australia

and New Zealand from about April 2015

www.energyrating.gov.au

A joint initiative of Australian, State and Territory and New Zealand Governments

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