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Solar Powered Water Heaters are Mandatory in Hawaii

Hawaii has been making headlines lately, as the first state to make solar powered water heaters mandatory. Governor Linda Lingle passed the legislation, Act 204, early in July 2008. The act will require all new single-family homes to include the use of a solar powered water heater. Beginning in 2010, any home seeking a building permit will also be required to have a solar powered water heater.

The new law is causing a stir, even in residents of the mainland U.S. While some critics of the bill take issue with government dictating issues such as the type of appliances citizens can purchase, most other complaints can be dispelled with the proper amount of information.

Exceptions to the Solar Powered Water Heater Law in Hawaii

Hawaiian residents living in areas that do not receive adequate sunshine to power a solar powered water heater, such as home situated in dense forest areas, are exempt from the law. In addition, homeowners who currently have another gas-powered appliance can opt to use a gas water heater.

Why Hawaii Needs Solar Powered Water Heaters

In Hawaii, green living is not simply a politically friendly lifestyle. Because Hawaii is an island state, it must import vast amounts of oil for energy production. With the price of oil nearly triple what it was five years ago, alternative energy sources are becoming more of a necessity every day on the Hawaiian Islands.

According to the Department of energy, a conventional water heater accounts for 15-30% of a household’s energy consumption. It is estimated that a solar powered water heater can reduce energy bills by as much as 25%.

Types of Solar Powered Water Heaters

There are three basic types of solar powered water heaters.

Flat Plate Collectors
These types of solar powered water heaters utilize dark colored absorber plates that soak up the sun’s warmth for use in heating water that flows through a weatherproof box containing the solar powered collector.

Integral Collector-Storage Systems
These types of systems work best in climates where the temperature rarely falls below freezing. This type of solar powered water heater only preheats the water before it passes into a conventional water heater, decreasing the amount of energy required to heat the water to the desired temperature.

Evacuated-Tube Solar powered Collectors
This type of solar powered water heater uses transparent glass tubes that heat the water as the fluid passes through the solar powered box. The insulation helps prevent heat loss. Solar powered water heaters are also connected to a back-up source of energy such as electric or gas for use on rainy days.

The Cost of Solar Powered Water Heaters

A typical residential solar powered water heater costs the homeowner between $5,000 and $7,000. After rebates and tax incentives, a solar powered water heater could cost as little as $1,400. A solar powered water heater saves the average homeowner an estimated $450 a year in energy costs. With the increased cost of energy in Hawaii, a Hawaiian homeowner can save much more.

Homeowners who cannot afford the upfront cost of a solar powered water heater can choose a rental company such as Hawaii Solar Powered Solution. This company installs the solar powered water heater and maintains it for a monthly fee. You can find out more by visiting HawaiiSolarPower.com.

Hawaii’s new law mandating solar powered water heaters is intended to reduce the state’s dependency on fossil fuels for energy. It was first introduced over five years ago and has now come to fruition when oil prices are at an all time high.