HI HB350

Amends Section 196-6.5 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to expand water heater requirements for new single-family residential construction to include ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters as an alternative to solar water heater systems.

Allows variances to be granted when installation of either a solar water heater system or heat pump water heater is impracticable due to poor solar resources or space constraints.

Modifies cost-prohibitive variance criteria to consider life cycle cost-benefit analysis for both solar water heater systems and heat pump water heaters, removing the previous 15-year life cycle limitation.

Updates variance requirements for demand water heater devices to specify ENERGY STAR certification and require a life cycle cost-benefit analysis to justify approval.

Defines "heat pump" as a device that uses electricity to move heat from one place to another; effective July 1, 3000.