DOE Publishes Final Rule For Ceiling Fan Test Procedures

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a Federal Register notice amending the test procedures for ceiling fans. Highlighted changes include:

• include a definition for “circulating air” for the purpose of the ceiling fan definition;
• include ceiling fans greater than 24 feet within the scope of the test procedure;
• include certain belt-driven ceiling fans within the scope of the test procedure;
• specify that certain very small-diameter ceiling fans are not required to be tested;
• maintain applicability of the standby power test procedure to large-diameter ceiling fans;
• specify instructions for testing ceiling fans with certain accessories or features;
• clarify test voltage for large-diameter ceiling fans;
• amend the low-speed definition and increase low-speed tolerance for stability criteria;
• permit an alternate set-up to collect air velocity test data and provide greater specificity regarding sensor orientation;
• amend the blade thickness measurement requirement; update instrument measurement resolution, represented values, rounding instructions, and enforcement provisions;
• and codify current guidance on calculating several values reported on the EnergyGuide label. DOE is also updating references to an industry test standard to reference the latest version.

The effective date of this rule is September 15, 2022. The final rule changes will be mandatory for product testing on February 13, 2023. You can find product information for Ceiling Fans here, including current standards and test procedures, statutory authority, waivers, exceptions and contact information.

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and Senior Business Development Consultant at Capacity Consulting, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has been co-chair of the ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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