S.B. 748 Summary

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

• Expands variance approval criteria to include heat pump water heaters that cannot be installed due to interior or exterior space constraints, in addition to existing solar resource limitations.

• Modifies life cycle cost-benefit analysis requirements to apply to both solar water heater systems and heat pump water heaters without the previous 15-year life cycle limitation for solar systems.

• Adds definition of "heat pump water heater" as a system that uses electricity to move heat instead of generating heat directly.

• Takes effect upon approval.