Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Residential and Commercial Clothes Washers and Consumer Clothes Dryers
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Rule
Summary
The Department of Energy is updating how they test residential and commercial clothes washers and dryers by improving the test cloth specs and making the rules easier to follow. These changes affect manufacturers who must use the new tests starting July 16, 2025, helping ensure energy-saving claims are accurate. The updates won’t cost consumers extra but will keep energy testing fair and clear.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Alternate Test Cloth Allowed
DOE now allows the use of an alternate test cloth that has been shown to perform consistently with the current test cloth for washer and dryer testing. This provides manufacturers and labs an option beyond the historically specified cloth.
Statistical Thresholds for Cloth Lots Updated
DOE changed the statistical acceptance criteria for a new test cloth lot: the coefficient of variation across nine RMC values is now allowed up to 1.5 percent, and the root-mean-square error for the RMC correction curve must be less than 0.012. These replace prior statistical criteria.
Manufacturers Must Use New Tests
If you make clothes washers or clothes dryers, you must use the amended DOE test procedures for product testing starting July 16, 2025. The rule itself is effective February 18, 2025, and manufacturers must base energy-use representations on testing under the new procedures beginning July 16, 2025.
Consumers Face No Extra Testing Costs
DOE says these test procedure changes will not change measured appliance efficiency and will not increase the cost of testing, so consumers will not pay more because of these amendments. The updates are intended to keep energy-saving claims accurate and testing consistent.
Measure Fabric Specs on Finished Goods
DOE now requires that fabric weight and thread count for test cloth be measured on finished test cloth (after hemming) and before pre-conditioning. This clarifies when manufacturers and labs must take those measurements.
Adds Crepe Weave to Allowed Cloth Types
DOE explicitly allows test cloth made with a granite, momie, or crepe weave for clothes washer and clothes dryer testing. DOE's testing showed no substantive difference between momie and crepe weaves for key test metrics.
Cut Orientation and Roll Size Requirement Removed
DOE removed the prior specification about roll dimensions and chose not to require a specific cut orientation for test cloth. This lets manufacturers and mills optimize cutting patterns to reduce fabric waste and cost.
Washer and Dryer Specs Harmonized
DOE harmonized the test cloth specifications so appendix J3 now applies to both clothes washers and clothes dryers. The change aligns requirements across both product types for consistency.
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