Bill Overview
Title: A bill to amend the Energy Policy Conservation Act to provide that consumer room air cleaners are covered products to which certain energy conservation standards apply, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill establishes energy efficiency standards for consumer room air cleaners under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). The bill defines consumer room air cleaners as cleaners that (1) are portable or wall-mounted (fixed) units; (2) plug into an electrical outlet; (3) operate with a fan for air circulation; and (4) contain a means to remove, destroy, or deactivate particulates. The bill enumerates energy efficiency standards for air cleaners manufactured on December 31, 2023–December 30, 2025, as well as air cleaners manufactured on or after December 31, 2025. It also prescribes procedures to test the energy efficiency of air cleaners. Energy efficiency labeling requirements apply to air cleaners beginning on December 31, 2023.
Sponsors: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Target Audience
Population: People who use consumer room air cleaners
Estimated Size: 127500000
- Consumer room air cleaners are commonly used in households to improve indoor air quality by removing particulates.
- Energy efficiency standards will likely impact the cost and performance of these devices, potentially affecting purchasing decisions.
- A significant number of households in developed countries use air cleaning devices, especially in urban and industrial areas.
- The implementation of this bill could lead to manufacturers making necessary changes in their product designs, impacting the global market of air cleaners.
- The target population includes individuals who are sensitive to air quality, like those with allergies or respiratory conditions, and prioritize air purification in their homes.
Reasoning
- Consumer room air cleaners impact a large target group, approximately 127.5 million individuals in the US, primarily urban households affected by air quality issues.
- The policy, aimed at setting energy efficiency standards, can influence both manufacturing processes and consumer choices, particularly for those sensitive to air quality needs.
- Budget constraints suggest that the policy may need to focus on high-impact areas or individuals to achieve maximum wellbeing improvements cost-effectively.
- Including a range of scenarios from individuals who experience high impact (e.g., income groups that prioritize energy savings) to those experiencing no impact will provide a comprehensive view of the policy's effects.
Simulated Interviews
Office Manager (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I already spend a lot on utilities. If these standards reduce bills, that's a plus.
- I hope efficiency doesn't mean compromising on air quality for my allergies.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Engineer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Standards are great for innovation but might increase upfront costs.
- I have installed solar panels; energy efficiency is important to me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Freelancer (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried about rent hikes if appliances cost more, but I need the cleaner.
- Balancing costs with health is tricky in NYC.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
School Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need efficient and effective air cleaners for my child's health.
- If this increases maintenance costs, it could be challenging.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Developer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I love the idea of efficient tech but hope devices stay affordable.
- It might prompt me to update to better models faster if better options come.
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 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Real Estate Agent (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Constantly dealing with desert dust, so efficient air cleaners are vital.
- I'd love standards that ensure ongoing quality over lower utility bills.
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 |
Graduate Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Budgets are tight, so anything reducing long-term costs is good.
- I'm concerned that initial prices might go up.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Call Center Manager (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These efficiency standards are great but need to ensure they handle local climate.
- I value tech efficiency and hope this future-proofs air cleaners.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Construction Worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Efficient air cleaners are vital due to my dust allergies.
- I hope standards are there to maintain effectiveness as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Marketing Professional (Seattle, WA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Pets make extra cleaning important and energy-efficient devices are beneficial.
- I support the environment, so efficient products matter to me.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- This policy may initially increase consumer prices for air cleaners due to redesign and compliance costs faced by manufacturers.
- The policy aims to reduce energy consumption, which aligns with broader environmental and sustainability targets.
- Implementation challenges may arise in ensuring all manufacturers comply with testing and labeling standards.