Bill Overview
Title: Safer Heat Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish safety standards for portable heating devices, including a requirement that a device shuts off at a threshold determined hazardous by the commission. The commission is authorized to enforce these standards.
Sponsors: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals using portable heating devices
Estimated Size: 40000000
- Portable heating devices are used globally as they are an efficient source of heat in both residential and commercial settings, especially in regions with cold climates.
- Improper usage or malfunction of portable heaters can pose significant safety hazards, including fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Thus, safety regulations will affect all users of these devices.
- The legislation aims to establish safety standards, which means that manufacturers, retailers, and consumers will be part of the impacted population.
- Consumers in countries with existing similar standards might not feel as much change, but those in countries without such standards will experience a notable impact.
- Non-compliance could lead to penalties or restrictions in the sale of non-compliant devices.
- In many countries, especially in colder regions, households rely on portable heaters, impacting millions globally.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts individuals who own or plan to buy portable heating devices. Therefore, we should include individuals from various demographics who rely on these products for warmth. This includes people living in colder climates, low-income individuals who might rely on affordable heating options, and those concerned with safety due to past issues with heaters.
- The policy's reach is broad, but the direct wellbeing impact will vary based on how much individuals interact with these devices and their current safety concerns. High impact is expected in colder regions and among those previously affected by heater-related accidents.
- Not all individuals in the U.S. use portable heaters; hence the policy impact distribution will reflect this, with a mix of 'none' to 'high' impacts across different interviews.
- Cost considerations mean the policy could initially prioritize high-risk areas or individuals with a history of issues related to portable heaters, gradually expanding as budget allows.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Minnesota)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Safety is important, but if it raises costs, I might struggle to afford newer models.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retail Manager (California)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Doesn't affect me. My store doesn't sell these; we have central heating.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Vermont)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Safety improvements give me peace of mind, especially living alone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Air Conditioning Technician (Texas)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My work is more focused on cooling, so this policy isn't really relevant to me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Shop Owner (New York)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Regulations might increase costs and reduce sales, but safety should improve.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Factory Worker (Michigan)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this makes heaters safer and still affordable, it's a good move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Freelance Artist (Colorado)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We had a scare once with a portable heater; stricter standards would be good.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student (Iowa)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any policy that ensures safety is welcomed, especially in student housing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Farmer (North Dakota)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My family's safety is priority. If the devices are safer, I'm for it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Software Developer (Georgia)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation doesn't really affect me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $40000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $35000000)
Year 3: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $30000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- The impact on manufacturers who may need to redesign existing products to comply with new standards.
- Potential supply chain delays for new compliant products, affecting market availability.
- The potential need for additional funding for the CPSC to effectively enforce new regulations.
- Public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the new safety features and standards.