RTCR 374-98-MINAE Energy Efficiency and labeling. Regulation for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers 1. Objective of this regulation To define the minimum energy efficiency (eficiencia energética) values that domestic-use refrigerator, refrigerator-freezer, and freezer equipment must have under the framework of the Law for the Regulation of Rational Energy Use (Law Nº 7447).
2. Scope of application 2.1 This regulation applies to refrigerator, refrigerator-freezer, and freezer equipment that operates by means of a compression system.
2.2 Specifically, it applies to:
- a)Refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers with separate external doors, domestic refrigerators of all types.
- b)Chest-type freezers with a capacity less than or equal to 800 liters. Upright-type freezers with a capacity less than or equal to 850 liters.
2.3 The following types of equipment are excluded:
- a)All those used in vehicles and mobile equipment.
- b)Those refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers with a total refrigerated volume greater than one thousand one hundred liters (1100 l).
- c)All portable equipment.
3. References NCR: 26 1994 Metrology. International System of Units (SI). Legal units of measurement.
Regulation of the Law for the Regulation of Rational Energy Use (Law Nº 7447). Decreto Nº 25584.
DOE 1990 Part 430 Energy Conservation Program For Consumer Products.
4. Definition of terms and abbreviations For the purposes of applying this regulation, the following shall be understood as:
4.1 Freezer: An appliance designed for the long-term storage of food at an average temperature of -17.8 °C or less and with the capacity to freeze food by means of a refrigeration source.
4.2 Automatic defrosting: A compartment is automatically defrosted when no user action is required to initiate the frost removal operation or to restore normal operation. The removal of defrost water is automatic, and the system automatically prevents the formation of frost on the refrigerated surfaces. The nominal temperature of the food is maintained during the defrosting operation.
4.3 Manual defrosting: A compartment is manually defrosted when user action is required to initiate the frost removal operation and when the restoration of normal operation requires a new user intervention; the defrost water is removed manually or eliminated automatically.
4.4 Semi-automatic defrosting: A system in which the refrigerated surfaces of the freezer compartment are manually defrosted, and the refrigerated surfaces of the food storage compartment are automatically defrosted. The defrost water from the food compartment is removed automatically or collected in a container for subsequent manual removal.
4.5 Energy efficiency (eficiencia energética): It is the relationship between the energy that is utilized, called useful energy, and the energy supplied to a process.
4.6 Hygrometric degree: Level of relative humidity of a gas. Relationship between the weight of vapor present in a given quantity of gas and the maximum weight of vapor that said quantity of gas, under the same temperature and pressure conditions, can contain.
4.7 Refrigerator: Any appliance or part thereof designed for the storage of refrigerated foods, at temperatures above 0 ºC, which has a cooling source. It may include a compartment for the freezing and storage of ice and the storage of food at temperatures below 0 ºC.
4.8 Refrigerator-Freezer: An appliance consisting of two or more compartments, in which at least one of these is designed for the long-term storage of food at temperatures above 0 ºC; and at least another of the compartments is designed for the freezing and storage of food at average temperatures of -13.3 ºC or less, and which typically can be adjusted by the user to temperatures below -17.8 ºC.
4.9 Refrigerator-Conserver: A refrigerator that does not include a compartment for the storage of food at temperatures below 0 ºC. It may include a compartment for the freezing and storage of ice.
4.10 Regulation of Law Nº 7447: Regulation of the Law for the Regulation of Rational Energy Use.
4.11 Electrical power (potencia eléctrica): It is the rate of time for the transfer or transformation of electricity. See decree MEIC 3286 article Nº 17.
4.12 Voltage (voltaje): Potential difference between the ends of a conductor.
5. Symbols and abbreviations The symbols and abbreviations used in this regulation are:
5.1 BTU British thermal unit 5.2 W watt 5.3 Wh watt-hour 6. Classification To calculate the maximum consumption of a given unit, they have been classified into two groups:
- a)Refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers 1) According to the type of defrosting (descongelación), they are classified as:
I manual II semi-automatic III automatic 2) According to the placement style of the freezer and the ice maker of the refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, the equipment is grouped into:
I Those with the freezer on the top II Those with the side freezer III Those with the top freezer with ice maker IV Those with the side freezer with ice maker V All others not included in the previous points b) Freezers 1) According to the type of defrosting
I. Manual
II. Automatic
- 2)By style
I. Upright
II. Chest
7. Specifications 7.1 To calculate the maximum energy consumption, the following formula shall be used:
CM= k1 x VA + k2 where: CM is the Maximum Consumption of the particular refrigerator, refrigerator-freezer, or freezer (kWh/year).
Va is the Adjusted Volume of that particular refrigerator or freezer (liters) k1 , k2 are defined in Table No. 1 for each of the classifications of refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers and in Table No. 2 for freezers 7.2 The calculation of the adjusted volume (VA) shall be performed depending on whether it concerns refrigerators or freezers, as follows:
- a)Refrigerators VA= FA x VC + VF where: VA is the adjusted volume of the refrigerator (liters) VC is the freezer volume (liters) VF is the fresh food compartment volume (liters) FA is the adjustment factor, depending on the case it is substituted by:
1.45 for refrigerators 1.65 for refrigerator-freezers b) Freezers VA= FA x VC where: VA is the adjusted volume of the freezer (liters) VC is the freezer volume (liters) FA is the adjustment factor. FA= 1.73 7.3 The values of the constants for calculating the maximum permitted energy consumption are defined in Table No. 1 for each of the classifications of refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers and in Table No. 2 for freezers TABLE No. 1 CONSTANTS TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM ENERGY CONSUMPTION FOR EACH OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF REFRIGERATORS OR REFRIGERATOR-FREEZERS
| Type | Defrost Type | Style | Value of the constants for calculating the maximum annual energy consumption kWh/year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | (2) | |||||
| k1 | k2 | k1 | k2 | |||
| Refrigerators and refrigerator- Freezers | Manual | All | 0.576 | 316 | 0.48 | 299 |
| Refrigerator- Freezers | Semi-Automatic | All | 0.77 | 429 | 0.37 | 398 |
| Refrigerator-Freezers | Automatic | Freezer on Top | 0.83 | 471 | 0.565 | 355 |
| Refrigerator- Freezers | Automatic | Side Freezer | 0.98 | 488 | 0.42 | 501 |
| Refrigerator- Freezers | Automatic | Freezer on Bottom | 0.98 | 488 | 0.58 | 367 |
| Refrigerator- Freezers | Automatic | Top Freezer with ice maker | 0.93 | 535 | 0.62 | 391 |
| Refrigerator- Freezers | Automatic | Side Freezer with ice maker | 1.09 | 547 | 0.575 | 527 |
- 1)Effective one month after its publication 2) Effective six months after its publication TABLE No. 2 CONSTANTS TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM ENERGY CONSUMPTION FOR EACH TYPE OF FREEZER
| Type | Defrost Type | Style | Value of the constants for calculating the maximum annual energy consumption kWh/year Effective from | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | (2) | |||||
| k1 | k2 | k1 | k2 | |||
| Freezer | Manual | Upright | 0.385 | 422 | 0.364 | 264 |
| Freezer | Manual | Chest | 0.385 | 422 | 0.364 | 264 |
| Freezer | Automatic | Upright | 0.565 | 623 | 0.526 | 391 |
| Freezer | Automatic | Chest | 0.523 | 223 | 0.388 | 160 |
- 1)Effective one month after its publication 2) Effective six months after its publication 7.4 Natural or legal persons who manufacture, assemble, or import refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers or freezers that do not meet the maximum permitted consumption, calculated in accordance with Tables No. 1 and No. 2, shall also pay the surcharge on the selective consumption tax indicated in Law Nº 7447 and its amendments.
8. Sworn statement (declaración jurada) 8.1 For manufacturing or assembly and for nationalizing equipment, authorization must be obtained from MINAE in accordance with articles 62 and 63 of the Regulation of Law Nº 7447, either by means of the Registry (article 67 of the Regulation of Law 7447) or the sworn statement, mentioned in said articles.
8.2 If the equipment data is not found in the Registry, a sworn statement must be submitted with the indicative data of the energy characteristics that allow determining its efficiency, obtained based on the sources established in article 65 of the Regulation of Law Nº 7447.
8.3 The sworn statement must have the following minimum data:
I Name of the importing, manufacturing, or assembling person or company II Legal name (razón social) III Identification number or legal identification number (cédula jurídica) IV Address V Telephone VI Fax VII Post office box VIII Legal representative IX Place to hear notifications within the judicial perimeter of the city of San José X Name of the good XI Brand XII Model XIII Number of imported or manufactured units Furthermore, the data regarding its energy efficiency must be included, specifically:
- a)Refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers - Type of equipment according to numeral 6 a) -1 of this regulation - Type of defrosting, according to numeral 6 a) -2 - Placement style of the freezer and ice maker, according to numeral 6 a) -3 - Freezer volume in liters - Fresh food compartment volume in liters - Adjusted volume in liters according to numeral 7.2 - Normalized annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hour/year, a characteristic determined according to what is established in article 65 of the Regulation of the Law for the Regulation of Rational Energy Use.
- Maximum energy consumption in kilowatt hour/year in accordance with numeral 7.1 b) Upright and chest freezers - Type of defrosting, numeral 6 b) -1 of this regulation - Style, numeral 6 b) -2 - Adjusted volume in liters according to numeral 7.2 - Normalized annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hour/year, a characteristic determined according to what is established in article 65 of the Regulation of the Law for the Regulation of Rational Energy Use.
- Maximum energy consumption in kilowatt hour/year in accordance with numeral 7.1 9 Nameplate data and consumption notice 9.1 The equipment must have a nameplate or label containing the data directly related to energy efficiency and consumption, in accordance with what is established in article 68 of the Regulation of Law Nº 7447.
9.2 The nameplate or label must have the following minimum data:
I. Title: "ENERGY LABEL (ETIQUETA ENERGÉTICA)"
II. Type of equipment: refrigerator, refrigerator-freezer, or freezer as applicable
III. Brand
IV. Model
Furthermore, the following energy characteristics must be included:
- a)Refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers - Type of equipment according to numeral 6 a) -1 - Type of defrosting, according to numeral 6 a) -2 - Adjusted volume in liters according to numeral 7.2 - Normalized annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hour/year, a characteristic determined according to what is established in article 65 of the Regulation of Law Nº 7447.
- Maximum energy consumption in kilowatt hour/year in accordance with numeral 7.1 b) Freezer - Type of defrosting, subsection 6 b) -1 of this Regulation - Style, numeral 6 b) -2 - Adjusted volume in liters according to numeral 7.2 - Normalized annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hour/year, a characteristic determined according to what is established in article 65 of the Regulation of Law 7447.
- Maximum energy consumption in kilowatt hour/year in accordance with numeral 7.1 9.3 In addition, for points a) and b) of the previous article, the following must be specified:
I. Natural or legal person who prepared and placed the nameplate
II. Legends stating the following at the bottom of the nameplate
"The information contained on this label is for you to compare the energy performance of this good with other similar ones offered on the national market. Said characteristics have been determined by controlled methods in a laboratory; therefore, they may vary according to conditions, handling habits, and the condition of the equipment." For inquiries to the Sectoral Energy Directorate (Dirección Sectorial de Energía), MINAE.
"IMPORTANT" "REMOVING THIS LABEL BEFORE THE PURCHASE OF THE GOOD BY THE FINAL CONSUMER IS A VIOLATION OF LAW Nº 7447"
III.The nameplate may be a label of paper, cardboard, plastic, or metal adhered to the good; provided that the sale to the public is made with the product packaged, it must be adhered to the packaging.
The content must be in the Spanish language. The appearance and legibility must be maintained until after the good is delivered to the final consumer.
9.4 Model of nameplate or label with the required minimum data.
- a)Refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers
| ENERGY LABEL | |
|---|---|
| REFRIGERATOR- OR REFRIGERATOR- | BRAND: |
| FREEZER | MODEL: |
| FREEZER VOLUME | |
| (LITERS) | |
| FRESH FOOD SECTION VOLUME | |
| (LITERS) | |
| DEFROST TYPE | |
| ENERGY CONSUMPTION (KWh/year) | |
| FOR THIS UNIT | |
| ENERGY CONSUMPTION (Kw.-h/YEAR) | |
| MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED FOR THIS | |
| TYPE OF UNIT | |
| NATURAL OR LEGAL PERSON WHO | |
| PLACED THIS NAMEPLATE OR LABEL |
The information contained on this label is for you to compare the energy performance of this refrigerator with other similar ones offered on the national market. Said characteristics have been determined by controlled methods in a laboratory; therefore, they may vary according to conditions, usage habits, and the condition of the equipment.
For inquiries to the Sectoral Energy Directorate of MINAE.
IMPORTANT REMOVING THIS NAMEPLATE BEFORE YOUR PURCHASE BY THE FINAL CONSUMER IS A VIOLATION OF LAW Nº 7447.
- Minimum dimensions of the nameplate: thirteen centimeters long by thirteen centimeters wide - Must be adhered to the equipment in a visible location b) Freezers
| ENERGY LABEL | |
|---|---|
| FREEZER | BRAND: |
| MODEL: | |
| STYLE | |
| VOLUME (LITERS) | |
| DEFROST TYPE | |
| ENERGY CONSUMPTION (kWh/YEAR) | |
| FOR THIS UNIT | |
| ENERGY CONSUMPTION (kW-h/YEAR) | |
| MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED FOR | |
| THIS TYPE OF UNIT | |
| NATURAL OR LEGAL PERSON WHO | |
| PLACED THIS NAMEPLATE OR LABEL |
The information contained on this label is for you to compare the energy performance of this refrigerator with other similar ones offered on the national market. Said characteristics have been determined by controlled methods in a laboratory; therefore, they may vary according to conditions, usage habits, and the condition of the equipment.
For inquiries to the Sectoral Energy Directorate of MINAE.
IMPORTANT REMOVING THIS NAMEPLATE BEFORE YOUR PURCHASE BY THE FINAL CONSUMER IS A VIOLATION OF LAW Nº 7447.
Minimum dimensions of the nameplate: thirteen centimeters long by thirteen centimeters wide Must be adhered to the equipment in a visible location