Solar hot water heaters can save families thousands of dollars on energy costs and reduce the county’s reliance on imported oil, yet most homes persist without the technology, officials said yesterday. After developing legislation with community members over the past
Solar hot water heaters can save families thousands of dollars on energy costs and reduce the county’s reliance on imported oil, yet most homes persist without the technology, officials said yesterday.
After developing legislation with community members over the past three years, County Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura said she has plans to introduce a bill at the local level that could change this trend.
The proposed ordinance would require solar hot water heaters on all new single-family units and duplex residential construction on Kaua‘i.
“We are moving as a global community from cheap, abundant fossil fuel to scarce, expensive fossil fuel,” she said. “We need to protect our community against ever-rising prices and dependence on fossil fuels.”
Yukimura will serve on an expert panel discussing the technology at 6 p.m. Monday at the Mo‘ikeha Building in meeting rooms 2A-2B. Apollo Kaua‘i, a grassroots energy alternatives group, is hosting the meeting.
The organization’s former chair, Ben Sullivan, said solar hot water heating is a basic choice without compromises to the end user.
“Tremendous energy savings are available,” he said, noting that a system will typically pay for itself in about two years with state and federal tax credits.
Yukimura said an estimated 40 percent of an average home’s energy costs comes from heating water.
To remove this financial burden from families would be a “huge boon to the general welfare of the island,” she said.
A study of the life cycle costs of solar water heating versus electric or gas water heating shows that a family can save roughly $20,000 over the system’s 15-year life at today’s oil prices, Yukimura said.
“Savings are likely to be far bigger because prices are going to go up,” she said. “The sooner families do this, the better.”
Sullivan said he considers it a litmus test for society.
“Are we going to be willing to rise to these challenges?” he said. “If we can’t do this, it’s really a scary thing.”
The state Legislature has proposed a similar bill, Yukimura said, but it would not go into effect until 2010. The councilwoman’s legislation would go into effect within 90 days of passage, providing just enough time for the county Building Division to “tool up and prepare.”
An advantage to passing the bill at the county level, she said, is being able to work out the kinks in the program by the time the state law could go into effect.
The Legislature has been unsuccessful in previous efforts to pass a bill to mandate solar hot water heating. Sullivan said oil companies and solar hot water heating installers have criticized the state’s most recent attempt for various reasons.
“We’ve got to see beyond an individual business trying to make a profit,” he said, and push through legislation that serves the greater good.
Senate Bill 644, as it stands, would reduce the state tax credits on solar hot water heating installations after 2010.
Yukimura said she opposes such a provision, but otherwise supports the legislation.
Walt Barnes will give a PowerPoint presentation at the meeting on Monday, illustrating solar benefits and more information about the bill.
Ray Mierta, energy services supervisor at Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, will explain the financial assistance programs and other incentives for solar installation.
An installed system costs roughly $5,500 before tax credits, Yukimura said.
Judy Hilke-Lumburg will describe the KEO program to provide solar water heating free to homeowner families who are income eligible.
Solar contractors Dean Turville and Mark Divan will explain criteria for systems — focusing on how location, sun maps, family size and roofs play a role.
A question and answer session is expected to follow the meeting.
For more information, call Sharry Glass at 822-7351.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com
