News & Information

California Energy Commission Appliance Efficiency Regulations

Larkin Products List of Compliance (Excel file)

California Code of Regulations, Title 20: Sections 1601-1608

Effective January 1st, 2006, California is implementing changes to the Appliance Efficiency Regulations. This bulletin discusses the affects of these regulations on Larkin product lines.

Scope

These regulations only affect product built after January 1st, 2006 and installed in California. Products with manufacture dates prior to January 1st, 2006 or installed outside of California are exempt for the new regulations. The primary areas where the new regulations affect Larkin’s product offerings are:

  1. Walk In Cooler and Freezer Equipment
  2. Electric Motors
  3. Reach Ins
  4. Ice Machines
  5. Computer Room Air Conditioners

Walk In Cooler and Freezer Equipment

The new regulations affect the motors used in walk in cooler and walk in freezer equipment. Effective on January 1st, 2006, single phase evaporator fan motors less than 1 HP and less than 460V must be either permanent split capacitor (PSC) or electronically commutated (brushless DC). Effective on January 1st, 2008, single phase evaporator fan motors less than 1 HP and less than 460V must be electronically commutated motors (brushless DC). Effective on January 1st, 2006, condenser fan motors 1/2 HP and less must be either the permanent split capacitor (PSC) or the electronically commutated (brushless DC) style. Motors greater than 1/2 HP and less than 1 HP must be either poly-phase (three phase), permanent split capacitor (PSC) or electronically commutated (brushless DC).

The majority of Larkin’s evaporator product line currently has a PSC motor option in a built to order format. However, in order to serve our customers more efficiently, Larkin will have variety of standard PSC stock models available in our new Ontario distribution center by late January. Larkin will also be stocking these models at our other distribution centers in order to serve customers in other regions that do business in California. These products will be readily identifiable by a label indicating compliance with this code. Larkin has been in development and testing of a brushless DC motor option for the past two years. We will be releasing this motor upgrade for many of our products in the upcoming year.

All Larkin’s air cooled condensing units are already in compliance with the new regulations.

Larkin’s package systems (PTT/PTN) are currently being re-designed with PSC evaporator and condenser fan motors in order to be fully compliant with the new regulations. Initially, this product will be built to order. However, the PSC motor equipped package systems are expected to be in stock inventory by mid to late January.

Larkin’s air cooled condenser product offering is compliant with the new regulations except for the three phase motor offering on the DVT and the 540 RPM motor on the larger air cooled condensers. If the condenser is not being solely used for a walk in cooler or freezer (i.e. air cooled condenser on a supermarket rack), it is exempt from the regulations. Please contact your local Larkin sales representative or account engineering staff to determine potential solutions.

Linked at the top of this page is a detailed table of products manufactured by Larkin for walk in cooler and freezer applications. This list shows whether the current standard unit meets the code or if it has an available upgrade to meet the code.

Electric Motors

The electric motor section of this code sets forth the required nominal full load efficiency levels. This section only applies to general purpose motors greater than or equal to 1 HP. The required efficiencies levels are the same as required by current federal codes. Special or definite purpose motors are exempt from this section of the code. Larkin’s evaporator fan motors and direct drive condenser fan motors 1 HP and larger are all exempt from this section as they are built and tested for specific applications and therefore are considered special purpose. Larkin’s air handler motors covered by this section all comply with the required efficiency levels.

Reach Ins

The new code does not specify a specific motor type or efficiency level for reach in evaporators. Reach in evaporators are exempt from the code. However, the regulations do set a required efficiency level for the overall reach in unit. These energy levels and group definitions can be found on pages 112 to 115 of the code. If you are a manufacturer of reach in units or a distributor to a reach in unit manufacturer and are having trouble meeting the overall energy levels required and need to investigate potential for higher efficiency motors, please contact your local Larkin’s Sales Representative.

Ice Makers

The permissible overall energy consumption of ice makers are defined on pages 115 and 116 of the code. The ice makers are classified by equipment type, type of cooling and harvest rate. Larkin has a variety of air cooled condenser sizes and motor options in order to assist you in reaching the specified energy levels. Please contact you local Larkin Sales Representative or Account Engineering Staff for help in sizing and motor selection of the air cooled condenser.

Computer Room Air Conditioners

Standards for air cooled computer room air conditioners can be found on page 118 of the code. The only change in this section of the code from the current regulations is that effective January 1st, 2006, units with capacities less than 65,000 BTUH will have to have a minimum 11.0 EER rating.

The entire standard is outlined in a document available on the web at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/2005rulemaking/documents/index.html

If you have any questions regarding application of Larkin’s product line in regards to the new regulations, please contact your local Larkin’s Sales Representative or Account Engineering Staff.