HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1294
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that energy efficiency is a cornerstone of the State's transition to clean energy.  It is also a strong mechanism for protecting consumers from high energy costs.  The legislature has repeatedly found that promoting greater energy efficiency is in the public's interest.

To ensure more efficient operation and design of commercial buildings, New York City recently prohibited open-door air conditioning, whereby energy is wasted by air conditioning an interior space while a door or window is open to exterior space.  The legislature finds that this is a sensible approach for building codes and standards that promote energy efficiency.

The purpose of this Act is to prohibit open-door air conditioning in commercial buildings or structures, and to commence the process of creating energy codes and standards for new commercial construction that will avoid open-door air conditioning in the future.

SECTION 2.  Chapter 107, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§107-   Protecting against open-door air conditioning. Before July 1, 2018, the state building code council shall adopt applicable energy codes and standards to define allowable air curtain or other retrofit technologies sufficient to protect against the co-mingling of indoor and outdoor air, and prescribe appropriate design and construction parameters for new commercial construction to avoid open-door air conditioning pursuant to section 196-  ."

SECTION 3.  Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§196‑   Prohibition on open-door air conditioning. (a) After January 1, 2019, it shall be unlawful to keep open any exterior door or window of a commercial building while an air conditioner or central cooling system is operating to cool the air surrounding the area adjacent to the open door or window, except:

(1) As momentarily needed to enable the ingress and egress of people and the delivery and shipping of goods;

(2) If an air curtain or other allowable retrofit device is installed and protecting against the co-mingling of indoor and outdoor air; or

(3) When an emergency situation exists that requires an exterior door or window to be kept open.

(b)  The director of business, economic development, and tourism may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, relating to the enforcement of this section, and may impose and collect fines or penalties to cover the costs of enforcing this section.  The fines or penalties, if any, shall be deposited into the energy security special fund established under section 201-12.8.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall preclude any county from establishing procedures and standards required to implement this section."

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Energy Efficiency; Open-Door Air Conditioning; Prohibition; State Building Code Council

Description:

After January 1, 2019, prohibits keeping open any exterior door or window in a commercial building while an air conditioner or central cooling system is operating to cool the air surrounding the area adjacent to the open door or window.  Requires the State Building Code Council to adopt applicable codes and standards for retrofitting existing commercial buildings and designing new commercial construction to be compliant.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.