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標題：家電標準節能計劃：家用爐子和商用熱水器節能標準

機構：能源部能效和可再生能源辦公室

行動：通知擬議的解釋性規則；征求意見

概述：2021年1月15日，能源部（DOE或部門）在《聯邦公報》中發布了一項最終解釋規則，確定在住宅爐子、商用熱水器和類似位置的產(chan) 品或設備的情況下，根據經修訂的《能源政策和保護法》（EPCA），使用非冷凝技術（和相關(guan) 通風）構成了與(yu) 性能相關(guan) 的“特征”，不能通過采用節能標準來消除。能源部認為(wei) 重新審視其解釋是明智的。出於(yu) 本文件中所述的原因，該部門建議回到其以前的長期解釋（在2021年1月15日最終解釋規則之前生效），根據該解釋，用於(yu) 供應加熱空氣或熱水的技術不是性能相關(guan) 的“功能”，根據EPCA，該“功能”提供了獨特的消費者效用。能源部要求對其擬議的解釋作出評論。一旦能源部達成最終解釋，能源部計劃再次評估修訂後的節能標準是否會(hui) 帶來顯著的能源節約，在技術上是否可行，在經濟上是否合理，是否符合其解釋。

DOE將在2021年9月27日之前接受有關(guan) 該擬議解釋性規則的評論、數據和信息。

英文原文：

TITLE: Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Furnaces and Commercial Water Heaters

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy

ACTION: Notification of proposed interpretive rule; request for comment

SUMMARY: On 15 January 2021, the Department of Energy (DOE or Department) published a final interpretive rule in the Federal Register determining that, in the context of residential furnaces, commercial water heaters, and similarly-situated products or equipment, use of non-condensing technology (and associated venting) constitutes a performance-related "feature" under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA), that cannot be eliminated through adoption of an energy conservation standard. DOE deems it prudent to revisit its interpretation. For the reasons stated in this document, the Department proposes to return to its previous and long-standing interpretation (in effect prior to the 15 January 2021 final interpretive rule), under which the technology used to supply heated air or hot water is not a performance-related "feature" that provides a distinct consumer utility under EPCA. DOE requests comment on its proposed interpretation. Once DOE has arrived at a final interpretation, the Department plans to again evaluate whether amended energy conservation standards would result in significant savings of energy, be technologically feasible, and be economically justified, consistent with its interpretation.

DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this proposed interpretive rule no later than 27 September 2021.

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