Hawaii Energy Building Code

In February 2012 the Hawaii State Building Code Council approved the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with amendments. The code sets energy efficiency requirements for both residential and nonresidential buildings. For the status of individual county code adoptions follow the links below.

Instructions to Purchase the 2009 IECC

The 2009 IECC is available for purchase online from the International Code Council at www.iccsafe.org; follow links to “Store”and “2009 International Codes”. The document may also be available at other online retailers.

Hawaii State Amendments

The State Building Code Council approved amendments to the 2009 IECC to add compliance flexibility and adapt the requirements to Hawaii’s unique climate.

Download the approved amendments (January 30, 2012 version) 

County Energy Codes

Energy codes are adopted and enforced at the county level. Use the following links to check current status.

Hawaii County

Webpage: www.hawaiicounty.gov/public-works-building

Contact: Jai Ho Cheng, jcheng@co.hawaii.hi.us

Honolulu County

Webpage: www1.honolulu.gov/council/ocs/roh/ (see Chapter 32)

Contact: Tim Hiu, t.hiu@honolulu.gov

Kauai County

Webpage: www.kauai.gov/default.aspx?tabid=64

Contact: Doug Haigh, dhaigh@kauai.gov

Maui County

Webpage: www.co.maui.hi.us/index.aspx?nid=1208

Contact: Ralph Nagamine, Ralph.Nagamine@co.maui.hi.us

Support Information

Frequently asked questions

FAQs 

What’s changed?

Changes between 2006 IECC and the 2009 IECC, including Hawaii amendments

Summary of Changes 

Window area-weighted average calculation tool

This spreadsheet implements compliance calculations for window solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), including shading credit for overhangs and screens.   

Spreadsheet 

Instructions 

Energy code training presentation

Training in all four counties covered the 2009 IECC with Hawaii amendments in February 2012

Presentation (6 MB) 

Plan review checklists and design checklists

These voluntary checklists provide building designers and plan reviewers with a list of requirements and references to code sections. These checklists are based on the 2009 IECC with Hawaii amendments.

Residential design checklist 

Residential plan review checklist 

Commercial design checklist 

Commercial plan review checklist 

Related Resources

Energy Code Stringency Analysis

Hawaii State Building Code Council

http://hawaii.gov/dags/bcc

International Code Council

Producer of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

www.iccsafe.org

ASHRAE

Producer of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings

www.ashrae.org

REScheckTM software

Compliance software for the residential portion of the 2009 IECC. At present it does not implement the envelope compliance options that are included in the Hawaii amendments. Both online and desktop versions are available.

www.energycodes.gov/rescheck

COMcheckTM software

Commercial building compliance software for the 2009 IECC. Both online and desktop versions are available.

www.energycodes.gov/comcheck

Building Energy Code eLearning

Online training, including presentations, webcasts and self-paced training related to energy codes, including the IECC and ASHRAE 90.1

www.energycodes.gov/resource-center/eLearning

Building Codes Assistance Project

A nonprofit organization that promotes the adoption and advancement of energy codes.

www.bcap-energy.org

Hawaii energy efficiency guidelines

Hawaii Homeowner’s Guide to Energy Comfort and Value

http://energy.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Hawaii-Homeowners-Guide.pdf

Field Guide for Energy Performance, Comfort, and Value in Hawaii Homes

http://energy.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Field-Guide-2.pdf

Hawaii Commercial Building Guidelines for Energy Efficiency

http://kolderupconsulting.com/files/Hawaii-Comm-Bldg-Guide-for-Energy-Efficiency.pdf 

Hawaii Energy

Energy conservation and efficiency program. Provides resources and incentives. 

www.hawaiienergy.com

Contacts

State contact for energy code issues: Howard Wiig, hwiig@dbedt.hawaii.gov

  • Hawaii State Energy Office

    Dept. of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
    235 S. Beretania, 5th Floor
    Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

    Phone: (808) 587-3807
    Fax:(808) 586-2536
    Email: energyoffice@dbedt.hawaii.gov

    Governor imageOur island environment is not only the basis for our quality of life, it is also the lifeblood of our economy. We look at environmental issues with future generations in mind, and as we explore Hawaii’s boundless, clean energy potential, we trust they will benefit from our stewardship.
    -Governor Neil Abercrombie