Bill > HB350

This bill expands the water heater requirements for new single-family residential construction in Hawaii by allowing ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters as an alternative to solar water heaters when obtaining a building permit. Currently, new single-family dwellings must include a solar water heater, but the bill now permits heat pump water heaters as a compliant option. The bill maintains existing variance provisions, allowing architects or mechanical engineers to seek approval from the chief energy officer if installation is impracticable due to solar resource limitations, space constraints, or cost-prohibitive factors. A heat pump is defined as a device that uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. The bill also preserves other existing alternatives for water heating, such as renewable energy technology systems or demand water heaters, while adding more flexibility for homeowners and builders in meeting energy efficiency requirements. The effective date is set for July 1, 3000, which is likely a typographical error and would typically mean a future date to be corrected by legislative amendment.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry, Government Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=350&year=2025