EPA, ENERGY STAR® Release Discussion Guide For Water Cooler Standard

Nov. 18, 2019
NAMA
Ga Banner 5dd2be26c2727

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the below discussion guide Nov. 14 to gather information and begin its work on the new ENERGY STAR Version 3.0 standard for Water Coolers.

NAMA will be working with members to compile the requested data in order to help inform EPA's process and ensure a positive standard is adopted.

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION

November 14, 2019

Dear ENERGY STAR® Water Cooler Brand Owner or Other Interested Party:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) welcomes your input on the enclosed ENERGY STAR Version 3.0 Water Coolers Discussion Guide.

EPA is sharing this ENERGY STAR Version 3.0 Water Coolers Discussion Guide to invite stakeholder input on key topics for discussion prior to developing and releasing a Draft 1 Version 3.0 specification. EPA will host a webinar on December 5, 2019, to seek input from stakeholders on the topics outlined below. Please submit feedback and any relevant data to watercoolers@energystar.gov by December 19, 2019.

Background

The ENERGY STAR program helps businesses and individuals save money and protect the environment by identifying products with superior energy efficiency. EPA monitors market and technology developments, looking for opportunities to more fully serve stakeholders, and to drive increasing energy savings. The ENERGY STAR Unit Shipment Data Summary Report  indicates that ENERGY STAR certified water coolers represent 62% of all units shipped in the United States in 2018. This high level of market share presents an opportunity to review the specification to ensure it continues to recognize top performing products and that the ENERGY STAR label continues to deliver meaningful energy savings to consumers.

Discussion Guide Summary

The Discussion Guide highlights multiple topics for further discussion which are summarized below. More details regarding these topics as well as specific questions are included in the Discussion Guide.

·     Energy Savings Potential: Understanding the market and typical use schedules will improve estimates of overall energy savings in this product category. EPA seeks information from stakeholders regarding the market size and lifetime of leased and directly sold units to commercial and residential customers. This information is key to determining energy savings and the extent to which ENERGY STAR can effectively differentiate the more efficient models for a range of purchasers.

·     Test Method Scope Considerations: EPA is evaluating the opportunity to introduce criteria based on the “On Mode Test with Water Draw – All Unit Types” and “On Mode Test with Water Draw – On Demand Units Only” which are both included in the current test method. In addition, EPA is considering revising the dispensed temperatures for hot and cold water.

·     Clarifying Definitions and Scope: Products that provide a range of additional features such as sparkling or alkaline water have been added to the ENERGY STAR certified product list under Version 2.0. EPA seeks to clarify definitions and scope during the development of Version 3.0 such that all partners are clear on product types covered by this specification.

·     Alternative Refrigerants and Foams: Across ENERGY STAR product categories, EPA is interested in recognizing products that use alternative, low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and foams; and, would like to understand the availability of those products.

·     Data Assembly: Provided with this discussion guide is a Water Coolers Data Template which stakeholders are requested to use to provide test results for the current test method, as well as data with alternate dispensed water temperatures.

Comment Submittal Process

Stakeholders are encouraged to provide written comments for EPA consideration to watercoolers@energystar.gov by December 19, 2019. All comments will be posted to the ENERGY STAR Water Coolers Product Development website unless the submitter requests otherwise.

Stakeholder Meeting

EPA plans to host a stakeholder webinar on December 5, 2019 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm EST to review the Discussion Guide and address initial stakeholder comments and questions. Stakeholders interested in participating in this discussion should register here by December 4, 2019.

Please direct any specific questions to Tanja Crk, EPA, at [email protected] or 202-566-1037, and Julia Hegarty, ICF, at [email protected] or 202-862-1163. 

Thank you for your continued support of the ENERGY STAR program.

Sincerely,

Tanja Crk, Product Manager

ENERGY STAR Commercial Food Service, Vending, Water Coolers

Enclosures:

Version 3.0 Specification and Test Method Discussion Guide

Water Cooler Data Template

Questions?

Contact:

Mike Goscinski, Director, Federal & State Affairs, NAMA

1530 Wilson Blvd. Suite 720

Arlington, VA 22209

Office: 571.348.1214

[email protected] 

Related

NAMA logo new 571a488f9cc3e
Associations

National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

May 7, 2009
Executive Staff Carla Balakgie, FASAE, CAE, President & CEO Dan Mathews, NCE5, CCS, Executive Vice President & COO Bill Meierling, Senior Vice President, External Affairs...