Conserve Energy at Home

As of January 1, 2010, state law requires all NEW single-family dwellings in Hawai'i to have a solar water heater (SWH) installed (Act 204, June 26, 2008). This law does not apply to not commercial or industrial buildings.

A request for a variance (exemption) from this state law can be submitted to DBEDT by a licensed architect or mechanical engineer.

To file for an exemption, two forms are required:

  1. Request for Variance from Mandatory Solar Water Heater in New Single-Family Residential Construction
  2. Water Heating Life Cycle Cost Analysis—an Excel spreadsheet that automatically calculates the cost of various forms of heating water for a specified area in the state of Hawai'i

Visit the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Web site to download the required SWH variance forms. Send completed forms to Dean Masai.

A photo of a newly constructed home on a dirt lot with no landscaping. The home is beige with a red roof. A white truck and a blue car are parked on the left side of the home. Three men are putting tools and equipment in the back of the truck. On the right side of the home, a crane is hoisting a solar water heater onto the home's roof. Palm trees can be seen in the background.

Installing solar water heating systems on new homes will help reduce Hawai'i's dependence on foreign oil and lower homeowners' energy bills.

Energy efficiency begins at home—and there is a lot that the people of Hawai‘i can do to save energy. Did you know that the amount of fossil fuel needed to meet the energy demands of a single home in Hawai‘i releases more carbon dioxide into the air each year than two average cars? Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to reduce your home's carbon footprint—and save money in the process.

Get on the path to energy savings!

There are lots of exciting ways to save on the up-front costs of energy-efficiency projects. Learn about Hawai‘i Energy Efficiency Program rebates and incentives.

Tips to Start Saving Today

For the typical household in Hawai‘i, the top five energy consumers are hot water, refrigeration, air-conditioning, clothes drying, and electric lighting. Because much of that energy is wasted, small changes you make can go a long way. Here are steps you can take to use the energy you need more efficiently.

Hot Water

  • Turn down the temperature of your electric water heater to the warm setting (120°F).
  • Install tank insulation, a heat trap, or a timer on your electric water heater (cost: less than $100).
  • Install a low-flow showerhead and take short showers instead of baths.
  • Wash only full loads of clothes; use cold water whenever possible.
  • Fully load your dishwasher before running it and air-dry dishes instead of using the drying cycle.

Refrigeration

  • Limit the amount of time you keep the refrigerator door open and avoid opening the oven door while baking so your kitchen appliances don't have to work so hard to get the job done.
  • Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper so it's half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the seal may need replacing, or you might consider buying a new ENERGY STAR® unit. To check newer magnetic door seals for leaks, check with the manufacturer.
  • Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer section. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at 0°F.

Air-Conditioning

  • Use ceiling fans and natural ventilation instead of air-conditioning. The cooling cross-breezes of Hawai‘i's trade winds can save a lot of energy.
  • If it's time to purchase a new air-conditioner, consider buying an ENERGY STAR model and be sure it's the right size unit for your home. Hawaiian Electric Company's online tool can help you select the ideal size for optimal cooling.
  • Install your air-conditioning unit on the north side of the house if possible or surround it with shrubs and other landscaping that shade it from the sun without blocking the airflow.

Clothes Drying

  • Hang clean laundry outdoors on a rack or line to dry naturally in the fresh breeze and sunshine.
  • Don't over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it.
  • Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.

Cut Phantom Loads

Plug home electronics into smart power strips, which will eliminate "phantom loads" from home electronics and phone chargers. These phantom loads can account for as much as 15% of your energy bill.

Lighting

  • Switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) with the ENERGY STAR label. CFLs use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer. By replacing just one 100-watt light bulb that's turned on six hours a day, you can save about $50 a year.
  • Because outdoor lights are usually left on a long time, using CFLs in these fixtures will save a lot of energy. Most bare spiral CFLs can be used in enclosed fixtures that protect them from the weather.
  • Installing solar lighting outside your home is quick and easy with an added bonus—no wires or electricity costs.

Ready to Save More?

A home energy audit will pinpoint how you can save even more.

For more energy-saving ideas, check out these resources:

Make every day Earth Day at your house! Use this animated tool on the DOE Web site and get great tips for protecting the environment and saving money in every area of your home.

Department of Energy
State of Hawaii