Comments on: Solar Water Heaters Now Mandatory In Hawaii

By: David Powell

David Powell — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:12:19 +0000

Aloha.I agree with the state in making solar hot water systems manditory on all new homes,but this is going to shut down some of the little guys who cannot afford it in their budget.I think making this code applicable to homes over,say,1000 sq.ft.would be more realistic and consideration for using a tankless water heating system should also have some merit.I am all for increasing energy efficiency,but some allowances should be made.

By: Mel

Mel — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:56:17 +0000

Solar Water Heaters for domestic applications are great and the Authorities in Hawaii should be congratulated on their forward thinking. However, there is also another water heating technology that has been developed to a level now, that is very similar to the efficiency of a Solar Water Heater – and that is an “Air to Water Heat Pump”. These units can still “collect” free energy from the air during the night time, in heavily forrested areas, or during rainy or cloudy periods. The Heat Pumps are also fantastic and very cost effective for Commercial applications, such as Motels, Hotwls, Large restaurants, Fitness Centres, and any application where large quantities of hot water is required over long periods of each 24 hour day. I spent 15 years in the renewable energy industry involved in International Sales, and I believe that Air to Water Heat Pumps would be ideal in the climatic conditions experienced in Hawaii. Another big advantage with the Heat Pump products is that installation is so much simpler and therefore not as expensive when compared to a domestic solar water heater, and there is no need for any equipment to be installed on the roof. Everything can be installed at ground level.

By: Greg Thompson

Greg Thompson — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:30:48 +0000

This seems like a really good idea for Hawaii, I don’t think it’s necessary to require solar water heaters in other states, but it’d be nice if more people were aware of them.

Austin solar water heater

By: Green Guy

Green Guy — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:37:56 +0000

or here:
Austin solar water heater

By: Green guy

Green guy — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:37:52 +0000

in Austin solar water heaters are not mandatory(yet) but the city is offering a $2000 rebate for anyone who installs one, when you add this to the federal credit, over %60 of the system is paid for right off the bat making payback about 3 years. More information here http://www.sunbelt-solar.com/cost

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:44:21 +0000

cool

By: F. MARIO PALMA

F. MARIO PALMA — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:52:39 +0000

HELLO, AND THIS IS GREAT NEWS, EVEN FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DONT REALIZE THE SAVINGS THAT CAN BE HAD, WHEN YOU PLACE THE SUN AT YOUR SERVICE TO PRE HEAT THE WATER, AND THEN HAVE THE WATER IN A INSULATED TANK, AND THEN WHEN YOU NEED THE HOT WATER IT GOES FROM THE INSULATED TANK TO THE ON DEMAND WATER HEATER,( THE WORK THE ON DEMAND HAS TO DO IS MINIMAL) AND THE SAVINGS OVER THE LIFE OF THE USERS IS ASTRONOMICAL, AND IS GREAT FOR THE WORLD, MOST FOLKS DONT REALIZE THAT CONVENTIONAL WATER HEATERS ARE ON ALL OF THE TIME, IMAGINE LEAVING YOUR CAR ON ALL OF THE TIME- SO THAT WHEN YOU NEED IT ITS READY TO GO, SO WAY TO GO HAWAII
CHAIO AND ALOHA. MARIO PALMA.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:37:45 +0000

The new Hawaii law is bull sh.. it was passed to help the gas co install gas – fired tankless water heaters ! and install at least one other gas appliance ! it kills the 35% state tax credit ! bill has huge loopholes ! see article by michael wilmeth Solar water heating required in new homes in Hawaii
http://www.buildinggren.com the bill is “grossly flawed ” who got paid off to pass it ?

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:03:39 +0000

I agree Brian. I disagree Bryan. You might be adding to the cost of the home but the savings realized in lower electric bills makes up the difference within a couple of years. Frankly, over the medium and long run, solar drastically reduces the cost of living in that home. As for unfunded mandates, wrong again, sir. As usual, dogmatic ignores practical effect. The federal government provides an income-tax credit worth 30% of the installed price of these units. I’m not sure what Hawaii does but Florida, for example, offers a $500 rebate from a dedicated fund. Some utilities offer rebates, as well. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida and every other state that includes climatic zones where freezing temps are rare or non-existent should follow Hawaii’s example in this regard. Doing so would further reduce the cost of solar heaters to the consumer and do more to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:30:35 +0000

I grew up in Hawaii and remember when my father had our solar water heater installed 25 years ago. I moved to Arizona for awhile where it is basically sunny 364 days out of the year, yet I saw very few solar devices installed. I recently moved back to Hawaii and immediatly had a Solar water heater installed. It saves me approximatly 25%-30% on my electric bill and with Hawaii’s electricity rates the most expensive in the nation (more the twice the cost per kwh of the second most expensive State) my investment will pay for itself in 18 months. It was a no brainer back when my father did it and is a no brainer now.