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 (DOE) to create a new, uniform way to describe the energy efficiency of water heaters, including storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and unfired water storage tanks, which are collectively referred to as "covered heaters." This new descriptor and its associated testing methods must be established within 180 days of the bill's enactment and will apply to all current and future water heating technologies. The bill also mandates the creation of a mathematical conversion factor to help manufacturers transition from older rating systems to the new one, and it allows for certain commercial or industrial water heaters to be excluded from the new descriptor if they are already effectively rated by existing methods. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will also update its labeling requirements to align with the new DOE rule. Importantly, water heaters manufactured before the new rule takes effect will still be considered compliant if they met the previous efficiency standards and labeling requirements.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (7)
Diane Black (R),
Marsha Blackburn (R),
Jim Cooper (D),
Scott DesJarlais (R),
John Duncan (R),
Stephen Fincher (R),
David Roe (R),
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power. (on 02/09/2011)
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/house-bill/482/all-info |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr482ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr482ih.pdf |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr482ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr482ih.pdf.pdf |
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