Hawaii Requires Solar Water Heaters For New Homes

HONOLULU — With a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, Hawaii has become the first state to require solar water heaters in new homes, pleasing environmentalists but leading opponents to note the island chain's already high home prices.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle signed a bill Thursday requiring the energy-saving systems starting in 2010. She said the law is "another important step in our long-term plan for energy independence in Hawaii."

Hawaiian Electric Co. estimates that about 85,000 households, or roughly 20 percent of all homes in the islands, already have solar water heating systems. They come standard in many new homes.

"It's one of the best things a homeowner can do," said Darren Pai, spokesman for the utility.

A traditionally powered water heater is the largest consumer of electricity inside a home, accounting for about 25 to 40 percent of the power used. A solar system costs about $6,000, compared with about $700 for an electric or gas water heater.

Environmentalists applauded the requirement.

"At a time when the globe hungers for smart energy solutions, Hawaii is demonstrating how it can be done," said Jeff Mikulina, director of the Sierra Club of Hawaii.

But opponents argued the law is unfair and will drive up home prices in Hawaii, where a modest home can start at $600,000.

Sen. Gary Hooser, a Democrat who first introduced the measure five years ago, said home buyers will save money in the long run with electric bills at least $50 lighter a month in a state with the highest electricity rates in the nation.

"I'm hoping this will start a trend nationwide," said Hooser, who plans to meet with lawmakers in other sunny states, such as California, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona, to push similar laws.

Hawaii relies on imported fossil fuels more than any other state, with about 90 percent of its energy sources coming from foreign countries, according to state data.

The new law prohibits issuing building permits for single-family homes that do not have solar water heaters. Some exceptions will be allowed, such as forested areas with little sunshine.

In January, Lingle announced the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative partnership, which aims to have at least 70 percent of Hawaii's energy needs supplied by renewable sources by 2030.

Comments

[LAJonathan]

04:54 PM on 07/02/2008

ITS ABOUT TIME!!! This is PRECISELY the area where we can make an impact. We have millions and millions of new homes built by shoddy builders who put in the cheapest systems. Sometimes, its only a small difference for the more efficient models, but of course they aren't going to spend the money. This is a great starting point, make them. It should be the new standard.

[JaseAllen]

12:37 PM on 07/01/2008

It's about freakin' time a government get serious about one of the easiest and most effective ways to curb our reliance on fossil fuel! They need to expand the law to include solar collectors as well.

[Pquilson]

07:31 PM on 06/30/2008

So, what is the life expectancy of those solar water heaters? They cost 6 grand, and they save, according to the article, $50.00 per month. That is a 10 year payout. If the life expectancty of the water heater is say, 20 years, then it is probably worth it, and people would do it without a law forcing them to. It is my guess that the life expectancy of those systems is something less than 10-20 years. That would be the reason for the mandate, because they are not cost effective. Just a guess. I have not researched solar powered water heaters. I have researched solar panels for my house, and it turns out to be in the range of 20K, and that would not power my entire house, rendering the system not effective for my use. If I am going to spend 20K of my hard earned, post tax money, it needs to be cost effective for me.
The article did not state the costs involved in installation of the system, just the cost of the system. I would venture a guess that the 6K cost stated is something less than the actual cost of the system installed.

[bushflipflops]

04:18 PM on 06/30/2008

Modest houses are $600,000 and these people are complaining about another $6,000 that will make it's money back in saved fuel costs in less than ten years. These types of rules should become the norm for new houses in order to get us off fossil fuels. Retrofitting an old house is more expensive than making sure the house is built green from scratch.

[totalliberal]

02:30 PM on 06/30/2008

And you need heated water in Hawaii why? Just run it through a hose outside before you shower.

[blueshield]

01:40 PM on 06/30/2008

Well, it looks like the march of communism has finally hit our shores, infiltrating these innocent islands, dressed in eco-hats and flip flops. First they come for your water heaters.... next they'll want to change your cars. It's a sorry day for greed and oil, the twin pillars of our national virility. Thank goodness here on the mainland we still have the right to choose to go on wasting as much energy as we want, and pay whatever the energy companies tell us. I think everyone should leave their SUV's idling in the driveway this Fourth of July weekend, to make up for the lost oil revenues.

[KillTheMessenger]

02:35 PM on 06/30/2008

Communism is very different from having to install water heaters. First day you have no heat. Second day you complain. Third day they come to your door and arrest Daddy. Daddy then spends 25 years in the Gulag. When he comes home (if he comes home, that is), he has learned his lesson not to complain about the heating.

[blueshield]

03:35 PM on 06/30/2008

Right you are, KT. And guess who's in the factory making the water heaters?

[AuntSally]

11:11 AM on 06/30/2008

The $6k cost of the solar hot water heater is one percent of the quoted $600k cost of the home. As a cost of reducing the power used by the home 25-40% (as quoted in the article), cost here is a non issue.

[brighterside]

10:33 AM on 06/30/2008

Yes I love that law! But it will start in the year 2010. Now what Hawaii needs is to push for electric or even hydrogen cars. We need to be the first state to have recharging stations for cars that run on alternative energy.

[KillTheMessenger]

02:36 PM on 06/30/2008

You don't have to wait for the law to force you. You can install that water heater tomorrow. What a concept... environmentalism and cost savings without a law... by means of free will. I should get a patent on that one!

[brighterside]

03:08 PM on 06/30/2008

Yes i do know. Just that I like the idea that all new houses will have solar water heaters in 2010. Its a way for move to alternative energy through government intervention.

Do you all get a tax deduction (35%) if you install solar onto your rooftops in your house? Hawaii you do. I wonder if thats a federal law?

[Pquilson]

08:43 PM on 07/02/2008

You are absolutely correct. You do not have to wait for the law to force you.
I built our home (well, had it built, as I am not the handiest people around!) in 1992.
We had all our exterior walls built at 6 inches, instead of the standard 4 inches. Provided two more inches of insulation. All the walls are insulated to the hilt, all the windows are double paned, all the exterior doors are insulated metal with double paned windows, the attic space had blown in insulation. Even the Garage door is insulated. We even considered such things as the placement of the water heater in relation to where the hot water needed to go, to have the shortest distance.
The result is that my electric bill, we are all electric, due to no natural gas being available in our area, is far less than any of our neighbors.
I did all that not for the environment, but to save money. Turns out it was better for the environment because we use less electricity, but that is just fine too.
It did cost a bit more to build with all that, but the result is that the "extras" have more than paid fof themselves, and continue to do so.

[jsarets]

09:51 AM on 06/30/2008

Wait... Are housing prices too high or too low? I can't keep track anymore.

[Sumocat]

10:15 AM on 06/30/2008

Home prices are always high in Hawaii. Space is in tight supply on a chain of volcanic islands. That "modest home" in Hawaii that can start at $600k is very small by Northern Virginia standards.

[research]

12:29 PM on 06/30/2008

Location location location.

Eden is a very good location.