HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0766.023 2008-2010Murashige, Laura
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Attachments: Ord.09 -48, Bi11234_BED_04- 07_10_Testimony doc
Aloha,
Attached testimony will be presented by DBEDT, Mr. Howard Wiig, Energy Analyst from the Strategic Industries
Division - Energy Efficiency Branch.
Mahaloi
Denise Fenn iDFenn @dbedt.hawaii goy]
Tuesday, April 06, 2010 9.42 AM
counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
James Bac; Howard Wiig
Testimony for Bill 234,_Hearing April 7 @ 11:15
Denise Fenn, Secretary
DBEDT - Strategic Industries Division
Energy Efficiency Branch
235 S. Beretania St., #506, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu, Hawaii 96804
PH (80,8) 587 -3808 FX: (808) 586 -2536
www hawaii.gov /dbedt/info /energy
4/6/2010
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Comm. No. 1 (9( -2-3
Ref. To: of /C!l1.trL0
Ref. Date APR 0 7 ZUlti
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
No 1 Capitol District Building, 250 South Hotel Street, 5th Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Telephone (808) 586 -2355
Mailing Address P 0 Box 2359, Honolulu, Hawaii 96804 Fax (808) 586 -2377
Web site www hawed gov /dbedt •
Statement of
Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism
before the
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
April 7, 2010
11:15 A.M.
Hawaii County Council Conference Room
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720
in consideration of
BILL 234
RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE.
Chair Yoshimoto, Vice Chair Naeole- Beason, and Members of the Council. The
Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) opposes intent of Bill
234, which would delay the adoption of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC
2006), as amended by the Hawaii Building Code Council. We understand the concerns of Vice
Chair Naeole- Beason and those who have written letters to the editor in support of Bill 234. In
fact, it was exactly the same concerns that led the Hawaii Building Code Council, whose
membership includes the County Building Division Managers of all four counties, to work for
months to delete portions of IECC 2006 and substitute provisions tailored to Hawaii's unique
climate. The full Building Code Council voted unanimously in favor of the amendments.
Most of the new construction in all the counties is located in the hot, dry sections of the
islands. Prior to the year 2000, many of those homes were built without insulation. The result
was "hot boxes" that were virtually uninhabitable when families returned home from work and
school. There were reports of families in their driveways eating dinner off of TV trays, with a
TV set on the hood of the car, waiting for their homes to cool sufficiently. The result was
County of Hawaii, Ordinance 09 -48, Bill ,234_BED_04- 07- 10_testimony.doc
LINDA LINGLE
GOVERNOR
THEODORE E. LIU
DIRECTOR
PEARL IMADA IBOSHI
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
passage of bills in Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties requiring that the roofs of new homes
prevent penetration of the sun's heat in one of five ways, including the use of radiant barriers and
cool roofs, plus natural or solar - powered attic ventilation. Some of the options could be achieved
for less than $1,000, a small price to pay for a livable home. The price is especially small in light
of the fact that many, if not most of the uninsulated homes on Oahu installed air conditioning at a
large initial price, resulting in their utility bills often doubling or even tripling.
The intent of IECC 2006 is to render homes naturally cool and comfortable so that the
occupants won't need air conditioning.
Most of those expressing concern about IECC 2006 say that they live in micro - climates
that don't need insulation. For those people, I have good news. Section 103 of IECC 2006 reads
in part: "This code is not intended to prevent the use of any material, method of construction,
design or insulating system not specifically prescribed herein provided that such system has been
approved by the'code official as meeting this code." Applicants need only demonstrate that some
or all of the code requirements do not apply to them.
The intent of IECC 2006 is to render homes as comfortable and efficient as possible.
Those who can demonstrate that those conditions are met without insulation are more than
welcome to do so.
We would be glad to answer questions and address other code - related issues.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide these comments.
County of Hawaii, Ordinance 09 -48, Bill 234_BED_04- 07- 10_testimony.doc