summary
Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
112th Congress
Bill Summary
Water Heater Rating Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to require the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to publish a rule that establishes a uniform efficiency descriptor and accompanying test methods for water heaters, storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and unfired water storage tanks (covered heaters) no later than 180 days after this Act's enactment. Requires: (1) the efficiency descriptor and accompanying test method to apply to all water heating technologies in use and to future water heating technologies, and (2) the efficiency standard to be denominated according to the efficiency descriptor. Sets forth provisions concerning a mathematical conversion factor for converting the measurement of efficiency for covered heaters from the test procedures in effect on the date of enactment of this Act to the new energy descriptor. Authorizes the rule to exclude a specific category of covered water heaters from the uniform efficiency descriptor if the category of water heaters: (1) does not have a residential use and can be clearly described, and (2) are rated effectively using the thermal efficiency and standby loss descriptors applied to the category. Requires the Secretary, in establishing the rule, to contract with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to conduct testing and simulation of alternative descriptors identified for consideration. Considers a covered water heater to be in compliance with the rule and with any revised labeling requirements established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to implement the rule if the covered water heater: (1) was manufactured prior to the effective date of the rule, and (2) complied with the efficiency standards and labeling requirements in effect prior to the rule.
AI Summary
This bill, the Water Heater Rating Improvement Act of 2011, amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a single, uniform way to describe the efficiency of all types of water heaters, including storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and unfired water storage tanks, along with the methods used to test them. This new descriptor and testing method must be applied to all current and future water heating technologies, and efficiency standards will be based on this new descriptor. The bill also mandates the creation of a mathematical conversion factor to translate older efficiency measurements to the new system, allowing manufacturers to re-rate existing models for a limited time. While the goal is a universal descriptor, the Secretary can exclude specific categories of non-residential water heaters if they are already effectively rated by existing methods. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will be involved in testing potential new descriptors. Importantly, water heaters manufactured before the new rule takes effect will be considered compliant if they met the previous standards and labeling requirements.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (7)
Lamar Alexander (R),
Bob Corker (R),
Ron Johnson (R),
Herb Kohl (D),
Mark Pryor (D),
Olympia Snowe (R),
Debbie Stabenow (D),
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (on 01/25/2011)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/156/all-info |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s156is/pdf/BILLS-112s156is.pdf |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s156is/pdf/BILLS-112s156is.pdf.pdf |
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