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Searching 2023-2024 Session

The Vermont Statutes Online

The Statutes below include the actions of the 2024 session of the General Assembly.

NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.

Title 9 : Commerce and Trade

Chapter 074 : Energy Efficiency Standards for Appliances and Equipment

(Cite as: 9 V.S.A. § 2793)
  • § 2793. Definitions

    As used in this chapter:

    (1) “Ballast” means a device used with an electric discharge lamp to obtain necessary circuit conditions (voltage, current, and waveform) for starting and operating the lamp.

    (2) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Public Service.

    (3) “Compensation” means money or any other valuable thing, regardless of form, received or to be received by a person for services rendered.

    (4) “Electricity ratio (ER)” is the ratio of furnace electricity use to total furnace energy use. ER = (3.412*EA/iE)/(1000*EF + 3.412 EA/iE) where EAE (average annual auxiliary electrical consumption) and EF (average annual fuel energy consumption) are defined in 10 C.F.R. Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix N.

    (5) “High-intensity discharge lamp” means a lamp in which light is produced by the passage of an electric current through a vapor or gas and in which the light-producing arc is stabilized by bulb wall temperature, and the arc tube has a bulb wall loading in excess of three watts per square centimeter.

    (6) “Medium voltage dry-type distribution transformer” means a transformer that:

    (A) has an input voltage of more than 600 volts but less than or equal to 34,500 volts;

    (B) is air-cooled;

    (C) does not use oil as a coolant; and

    (D) is rated for operation at a frequency of 60 hertz.

    (7) “Metal halide lamp” means a high intensity discharge lamp in which the major portion of the light is produced by radiation of metal halides and their products of dissociation, possibly in combination with metallic vapors.

    (8) “Metal halide lamp fixture” means a light fixture designed to be operated with a metal halide lamp and a ballast for a metal halide lamp.

    (9) “Probe-start metal halide ballast” means a ballast used to operate metal halide lamps that does not contain an ignitor and that instead starts lamps by using a third starting electrode probe in the arc tube.

    (10) “Residential boiler” means a self-contained appliance that is primarily designed for space heating by means of steam or hot water and that uses only single-phase electric current in conjunction with natural gas, propane, or home heating oil and that has a heat input rate of less than 300,000 Btus per hour.

    (11) “Residential furnace” means a self-contained space heater designed to supply heated air through ducts of more than 10 inches in length and that utilizes only single-phase electric current or single-phase electric current or DC current in conjunction with natural gas, propane, or home heating oil, and that:

    (A) is designed to be the principal heating source for the living space of one or more residences;

    (B) is not contained within the same cabinet with a central air conditioner whose rated cooling capacity is above 65,000 Btus per hour; and

    (C) has a heat input rate of less than 225,000 Btus per hour.

    (12) “Single-voltage external AC to DC power supply” means a device that:

    (A) is designed to convert line voltage AC input into lower voltage DC output;

    (B) is able to convert to only one DC output voltage at a time;

    (C) is sold with, or intended to be used with, a separate end-use product that constitutes the primary power load;

    (D) is contained within a separate physical enclosure from the end-use product;

    (E) is connected to the end-use product via a removable or hard-wired male or female electrical connection, cable, cord, or other wiring;

    (F) does not have batteries or battery packs, including those that are removable, that physically attach directly to the power supply unit;

    (G) does not have a battery chemistry or type selector switch and indicator light; or does not have a battery chemistry or type selector switch and a state of charge meter; and

    (H) has a nameplate output power less than or equal to 250 watts.

    (13) “State-regulated incandescent reflector lamp” means a lamp that is not colored or designed for rough or vibration service applications, that has an inner reflective coating on the outer bulb to direct the light, an E26 medium screw base, and a rated voltage or voltage range that lies at least partially within 115 and 130 volts, and that falls into either of the following categories:

    (A) a blown PAR (BPAR), bulged reflector (BR), or elliptical reflector (ER) bulb shape, with a diameter that equals or exceeds 2.25 inches; or

    (B) a reflector (R), parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR), or similar bulb shape with a diameter of 2.25 to 2.75 inches.

    (14)(A) “Transformer” means a device that consists of two or more coils of insulated wire and that is designed to transfer alternating current by electromagnetic induction from one coil to another, in order to change the original voltage or current value.

    (B) The term “transformer” does not include:

    (i) devices with multiple voltage taps, with the highest voltage tap equaling at least 20 percent more than the lowest voltage tap; or

    (ii) devices, such as those commonly known as drive transformers, rectifier transformers, auto transformers, uninterruptible power system transformers, impedance transformers, regulating transformers, sealed and nonventilating transformers, machine tool transformers, welding transformers, grounding transformers, or testing transformers, that are designed to be used in a special purpose application and are unlikely to be used in general purpose applications.

    (15) “General service lamp” has the same meaning as set forth in the action published at 82 Fed. Reg. 7276, 7321-22 (January 19, 2017) and modified by the action published at 82 Fed. Reg. 7322, 7333 (January 19, 2017).

    (16) With respect to air compressors, the following definitions apply:

    (A) “Air compressor” means a compressor that is designed to compress air that has an inlet open to the atmosphere or other source of air and that consists of the bare compressor, also known as the compression element; one or more drivers; mechanical equipment to drive the compression element; and any ancillary equipment.

    (B) “Compressor” means a machine or apparatus that converts different types of energy into the potential energy of gas pressure for displacement and compression of gaseous media to any higher-pressure values above atmospheric pressure and has a pressure ratio at full-load operating pressure greater than 1.3.

    (17) “Commercial dishwasher” means a machine designed to clean and sanitize plates, pots, pans, glasses, cups, bowls, utensils, and trays by applying sprays of detergent solution, with or without blasting media granules, and a sanitizing rinse. The phrase “commercial dishwasher” does not include dishwashers intended for consumer use as defined in 10 C.F.R. § 430.2.

    (18) “Commercial fryer” means an appliance, including a cooking vessel, in which oil is placed to such a depth that the cooking food is supported by displacement of the cooking fluid rather than by the bottom of the vessel. Heat is delivered to the cooking fluid by means of an immersed electric element of band-wrapped vessel or by heat transfer from gas burners either through the walls of the fryer or through tubes passing through the cooking fluid.

    (19) “Commercial hot-food holding cabinet” means a heated, fully enclosed compartment with one or more solid or transparent doors designed to maintain the temperature of hot food that has been cooked using a separate appliance. The phrase “commercial hot-food holding cabinet” does not include heated glass merchandizing cabinets, drawer warmers, or cook-and-hold appliances.

    (20) “Commercial steam cooker” means a device with one or more food-steaming compartments in which the energy in the steam is transferred to the food by direct contact. A commercial steam cooker may also be known as a compartment steamer.

    (21) “ENERGY STAR Program” means the federal program initiated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 7403(g) that includes certification of energy-saving products, buildings, and tools, and includes other resources for saving energy.

    (22) With respect to faucets and showerheads, the following definitions apply:

    (A) “Faucet” means a lavatory faucet, kitchen faucet, metering faucet, public lavatory faucet, or replacement aerator for a lavatory, public lavatory, or kitchen faucet. As used in this subdivision (22)(A):

    (i) “Metering faucet” means a fitting that, when turned on, will gradually shut itself off over a period of several seconds.

    (ii) “Public lavatory faucet” means a fitting intended to be installed in nonresidential bathrooms that are exposed to walk-in traffic.

    (iii) “Replacement aerator” means an aerator sold as a replacement, separate from the faucet to which it is intended to be attached.

    (B) “Showerhead” means an accessory to a supply fitting for spraying water onto a bather, typically from an overhead position. The term includes a body spray and handheld shower. As used in this subdivision (22)(B):

    (i) “Body spray” means a shower device for spraying water onto a bather other than from the overhead position.

    (ii) “Handheld shower” means a showerhead that can be held or fixed in place for the purpose of spraying water onto a bather and that is connected to a flexible hose.

    (23) “High color rendering index (CRI) fluorescent lamp” means a fluorescent lamp with a color rendering index of 87 or greater that is not a compact fluorescent lamp.

    (24) “Luminaire” means a complete lighting unit consisting of a fluorescent lamp or lamps, together with parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect such lamps, and to connect such lamps to the power supply through the ballast.

    (25) With respect to portable air conditioners, the following definitions apply:

    (A) “Portable air conditioner” means a portable encased assembly, other than a packaged terminal air conditioner, room air conditioner, or dehumidifier, that includes a source of refrigeration; delivers cooled, conditioned air to an enclosed space; and is powered by single-phase electric current. The assembly may include additional means for air circulation and heating and may be a single-duct or a dual-duct portable air conditioner.

    (B) “Single-duct portable air conditioner” means a portable air conditioner that draws all of the condenser inlet air from the conditioned space without the means of a duct and discharges the condenser outlet air outside the conditioned space through a single duct attached to an adjustable window bracket.

    (C) “Dual-duct portable air conditioner” means a portable air conditioner that draws some or all of the condenser inlet air from outside the conditioned space through a duct attached to an adjustable window bracket, may draw additional condenser inlet air from the conditioned space, and discharges the condenser outlet air outside the conditioned space by means of a separate duct attached to an adjustable window bracket.

    (26) “Portable electric spa” means a factory-built electric spa or hot tub, which may or may not include any combination of integral controls, water heating, or water circulating equipment.

    (27) “Residential ventilating fan” means a ceiling, wall-mounted, or remotely mounted in-line fan designed to be used in a bathroom or utility room whose purpose is to move air from inside the building to the outdoors.

    (28) With respect to spray sprinkler bodies, the following definitions apply:

    (A) “Pressure regulator” means a device that maintains constant operating pressure immediately downstream from the device, given higher pressure upstream.

    (B) “Spray sprinkler body” means the exterior case or shell of a sprinkler incorporating a means of connection to the piping system designed to convey water to a nozzle or orifice.

    (29) “T12 fluorescent lamp” means a tubular fluorescent lamp to which one of the following applies:

    (A) The lamp has a nominal rating of 34 watts, is 48 inches in length and one and one-half inches in diameter, and conforms to ANSI standard C78.81-2003 (Data Sheet 7881-ANSI-1006-1). Such a lamp is often referred to as an “F34T12 lamp” or an “F40T12/ES lamp.”

    (B) The lamp has a nominal rating of 40 watts, is 48 inches in length and one and one-half inches in diameter, and conforms to ANSI standard C78.81-2003 (Data Sheet 7881-ANSI-1010-1). Such a lamp is often referred to as an “F40T12 lamp.”

    (C) The lamp has a nominal rating of 60 watts, is 96 inches in length and one and one-half inches in diameter, and conforms to ANSI standard C78.81-2003 (Data Sheet 7881-ANSI-3006-1). Such a lamp is often referred to as an “F96T12/ES lamp.”

    (D) The lamp has a nominal rating of 75 watts, is 96 inches in length and one and one-half inches in diameter, and conforms to ANSI standard C78.81-2003 (Data Sheet 7881-ANSI-3007-1). Such a lamp is often referred to as an “F96T12 lamp.”

    (E) The lamp has a nominal rating of 95 watts, is 96 inches in length and one and one-half inches in diameter, and conforms to ANSI standard C78.81-2003 (Data Sheet 7881-ANSI-1017-1). Such a lamp is often referred to as an “F96T12HO/ES lamp.”

    (F) The lamp has a nominal rating of 110 watts, is 96 inches in length and one and one-half inches in diameter, and conforms to ANSI standard C78.81-2003 (Data Sheet 7881-ANSI-1019-1). Such a lamp is often referred to as an “F96T12HO lamp.”

    (30) “Uninterruptible power supply” means a battery charger consisting of a combination of convertors, switches, and energy storage devices, such as batteries, constituting a power system that maintains continuity of load power in case of input power failure.

    (31) With respect to urinals, the following definitions apply:

    (A) “Plumbing fixture” means an exchangeable device that connects to a plumbing system to deliver and drain away water and waste.

    (B) “Trough-type urinal” means a urinal designed for simultaneous use by two or more persons.

    (C) “Urinal” means a plumbing fixture that receives only liquid body waste and conveys the waste through a trap into a drainage system.

    (32) With respect to water coolers, the following definitions apply:

    (A) “Cold-only unit” means a water cooler that dispenses cold water only.

    (B) “Cook and cold unit” means a water cooler that dispenses both cold and room-temperature water.

    (C) “Hot and cold unit” means a water cooler that dispenses both hot and cold water. A hot and cold unit also may dispense room-temperature water.

    (D) “On demand” means that a water cooler heats water as it is requested, which typically takes a few minutes to deliver.

    (E) “Storage-type” means that a water cooler stores thermally conditioned water in a tank and the conditioned water is available instantaneously. Storage-type water coolers include point-of-use, dry storage compartment, and bottled water coolers.

    (F) “Water cooler” means a freestanding device that consumes energy to cool or heat potable water, or both. (Added 2005, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2017, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 22, 2017; 2017, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)