Hawaii First State to Require Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heater

New residential construction in Hawaii soon will have to meet another standard to get building official sign-off.  Starting next year, Hawaii is the first state in the nation to require solar water heaters in new homes.  Considering the state’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, the state government hopes to make a new change and work towards energy independence in Hawaii.

Mandating the change is significant.  Estimates are that 20% of all homes on the islands already have solar water heating systems.  By requiring solar hot water to come standard with new homes, homeowners can slash 25-50% of the power used on a monthly basis.  Traditional water heaters are the largest electricity consumer in a home.

Consider the fact that many homes in Hawaii have swimming pools, and there is a tremendous amount of energy that can be saved with solar hot water.

Solar hot water in Hawaii will soon come standard

While many people are applauding the new law, some are worried that it will add unnecessary cost to the already high price of housing in Hawaii.  Yet, when you consider that homes start around $500,000, and the cost of a solar water heater is about $6,000 and can save more than $50 a month in electricity costs, some would say that the opponents are making much ado about nothing (as far as cost, at least).

But opponents contend that the law is unfair and will drive up home prices in Hawaii, where a modest home can start at $600,000.  However, when you consider that a solar water heater costs less than $6,000, you are only talking about 1% of the purchase price.  And then, when you can save $50 per month on electricity costs in one of the most expensive utility markets in the nation, why wouldn’t this be a great idea.  In fact, consider that solar panels increase the value of your home and you can break even with a new solar hot water heater before you know it!

State Sen. Gary Hooser, stated:

“I’m hoping this will start a trend nationwide,”

and he plans to help introduce other measures in states such as California.

One of the other reasons why the solar hot water heater requirement is so critical in Hawaii is that the state imports more fossil fuels than any other in the nation.  Fully 90% of its energy comes from foreign countries.  That statistic is bound to improve under the new law – and under the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative partnership which aims to have 70% or more of Hawaii’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2030.

Tags: hawaii clean energy initiative, hawaii solar, hawaii solar requirement, hawaii solar water heater, solar hot water heater, solar water