§196-5 Gas appliances with pilot light prohibited; exemptions. (a) No new residential type gas appliance that is equipped with a pilot light shall be sold or installed in the State after June 30, 1980. Gas appliances sold after June 30, 1980, shall be equipped with an intermittent ignition system or other ignition devices in lieu of gas pilot lights.

(b) Beginning ninety days after May 30, 1978, the chief energy officer of the Hawaii state energy office or its successor entity shall notify, in writing, all retail sellers of gas appliances doing business in the State of the provisions of this section.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any hot water heaters with pilot lights or to any gas appliance which can be conclusively demonstrated by the equipment manufacturer, to the satisfaction of the chief energy officer of the Hawaii state energy office or its successor entity, that the gas pilot device in the appliance:

(1) Has a substantial lower life cycle cost than an electric ignition or other alternate ignition system;

(2) Is more energy efficient than available alternatives; or

(3) Is necessary to safeguard public health and safety.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to people living in areas that are served with unreliable electric service or where it is not available.

(e) As used in this section:

(1) "Gas appliance" includes any new residential type heater, refrigerator, stove, range, dishwasher, dryer, air conditioner, decorative fireplace, or other similar devices;

(2) "Intermittent ignition device" means an ignition device which is activated only when the gas appliance is in operation; and

(3) "Pilot light" means any gas operated device that remains continually operated or lighted in order to ignite a gas appliance to normal operation. [L 1978, c 137, §2; am L 2019, c 122, §3]

Revision Note

"May 30, 1978" substituted for "the effective date of this Act".