Report Title:

Energy Efficient Water Heating for New Construction

Description:

Requires energy efficient water heating in new construction of dwelling units, guest houses, hotels, or motels. Defines "dwelling unit", "guest house", "hotel", and "motel". Directs PUC to change its utility rebate rules and requirements to exclude new construction.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1182

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to energy efficiency.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 196-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding four new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

""Dwelling unit" means a room or rooms connected together, constituting an independent housekeeping unit for a family and containing a single kitchen.

"Guest house" means a building used for dwelling purposes by guests with a floor area of no more than five hundred square feet that contains no kitchen and is located on a parcel of at least nine thousand square feet that contains one or more dwelling units.

"Hotel" means a building or portion thereof or buildings containing more than nine rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator to six or more unrelated persons.

"Motel" means a hotel with garages attached or parking space conveniently located to each unit, including auto court, tourist court or motor lodge, or otherwise, which rooms do not constitute dwelling units."

SECTION 2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§196- Energy efficient water heating for new construction. No newly constructed dwelling unit, guest house, hotel, or motel shall be equipped with an electric resistance water heater or a tankless, on-demand electric water heater, unless:

(1) The electric resistance water heater is used in conjunction with a solar water heater;

(2) The electric resistance water heater is used with an alternative energy efficient water heating system that is certified by a licensed architect, general contractor, or plumber that when used together, are at least as efficient as a standard propane gas water heater; or

(3) The solar or energy efficient water heating system is sized to meet at least eighty per cent of the hot water demand for the respective dwelling unit, guest house, hotel, or motel, as certified by a licensed architect, general contractor, solar water heater contractor, or plumber."

SECTION 3. The public utilities commission shall amend its utility rules and requirements to exclude new construction from any rebates, and shall report to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2004 regular session on the actions taken pursuant to this section.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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