WaterSense® notified its stakeholders of three opportunities to comment on proposals pertaining to commercial kitchen pre-rinse spray valves (PRSVs). Information on the proposals, along with comment deadlines, are provided below.
Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information on Test Procedures
DOE has published a Federal Register notice requesting information and data to consider whether to amend its test procedures for PRSVs. Specifically, DOE seeks data and information pertinent to whether amended test procedures would: (1) more accurately or fully comply with the requirement that the test procedure be reasonably designed to produce test results that measure water use during a representative use cycle without being unduly burdensome to conduct, or (2) reduce test burden. The initial comment period has been extended; comments must now be submitted no later than August 20, 2020.
DOE Request for Information on Energy Conservation Standards
Similarly, DOE has published a separate Federal Register notice initiating a review to determine whether any new or amended standards would satisfy relevant requirements of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) for a new or amended energy conservation standard for PRSVs. Specifically, DOE seeks data and information that would help decide whether it should propose a “no new standard” determination. This would be warranted if a new standard: would not result in significant energy savings; is not technologically feasible; and/or is not economically justified. The initial comment period has been extended; comments must now be submitted no later than August 19, 2020.
Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Proposal
CEE is proposing sunsetting the CEE Commercial Pre-Rinse Spray Valve Specification, thereby discounting maintenance of the specification and qualified product list. Instead, CEE is suggesting using high-efficiency PRSVs as an entry point to engage commercial kitchen customers on energy efficiency. More information is available on the CEE website. Comments are due to CEE on its proposal by July 31, 2020.
While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sunset its WaterSense Specification for Commercial Pre-Rinse Spray Valves in 2019, interested stakeholders can still find information regarding water and energy savings from replacing old, inefficient PRSVs with high-efficiency models on the WaterSense website. If you have questions about EPA’s sunsetting of the WaterSense Specification for Commercial Pre-Rinse Spray Valves or about the WaterSense program in general, please contact the WaterSense Helpline at (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) or e-mail watersense@epa.gov.
Last modified: January 16, 2024