Honolulu, Hawaii – Hawaii Energy, the state’s energy conservation program, is proud to announce that it has received the 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR recognizes select organizations across the U.S. that have made outstanding contributions to energy efficiency in their communities.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda creates unprecedented opportunity to build a clean energy economy, and private sector partners through programs like ENERGY STAR are leading the way,” said Michael S. Regan, EPA administrator. “I congratulate this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for their innovation and leadership, in delivering cost-effective energy efficient solutions that create jobs, address climate change, and contribute to a healthier environment for all.”
Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to energy efficiency and the transition to a clean energy economy. ENERGY STAR award winners lead their industries in the production, sale, and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services, and strategies. These efforts have saved more than 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity over the past 30 years.
“The Public Utilities Commission congratulates Hawaii Energy for this important recognition as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year,” said Leodoloff R. Asuncion, chair, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. “Hawaii Energy has successfully served as our state’s Public Benefits Fee Administrator for 15 years, and we especially commend the team for their ongoing innovation and support for Hawaii’s residents and businesses during challenging economic times.”
Hawaii Energy was recognized for the following programs that were designed to adopt ENERGY STAR® products and best practices, from October 2022 to October 2023:
- Heat Pump Water Heaters: Hawaii Energy rebated 1,005 heat pump water heaters, representing a 12% increase in annual sales through local retail partners.
- Refrigerator/Freezer Trade-Up and Recycling: Hawaii Energy issued rebates for 4,708 ENERGY STAR refrigerators, representing a 37% increase in statewide participation over the previous year. Since October 2022, Hawaii Energy has delivered 197 refrigerators, 109 freezers, 25 clothes washers, 25 clothes dryers, and 30 window air conditioners – all ENERGY STAR products – to 325 homes across the state.
- Energy Awareness Month and ENERGY STAR Day Campaigns: Hawaii Energy launched the “Level Up” campaign that was primarily focused on achieving bill relief through inclusivity, encouraging energy-saving actions for varying building and home types, participant ages, and ability to afford upgrades.
- Commercial Kitchen Equipment Program Growth: Despite major inflation and an overall decline in commercial energy efficiency projects locally, Hawaii Energy averaged 34 units rebated per month in the last year, compared to 25 the year prior. Hawaii Energy also funded 134 projects, as well as partial-funding for 37 applicants, through its 2022-2023 EmPOWER Grant program which is open to nonprofits, small businesses, and restaurants.
- EV Charging Stations: Hawaii Energy has awarded more than $1.2 million in rebates, statewide, for 266 new or retrofitted Level 2 chargers and eight DC Fast Chargers. Of those, 141 were awarded rebates in the last year and 85% of them were ENERGY STAR certified.
- Better Buildings Benchmarking Program: Hawaii Energy worked in lock-step with the City and County of Honolulu to advocate for benchmarking, which requires large commercial and multifamily buildings to benchmark and publicize their energy and water usage data using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. As a result, 164 buildings were benchmarked and 89 additional buildings applied for deadline extensions, for an expected total of 253 buildings.
- Energy Treasure Hunts and Walkthroughs: Hawaii Energy has continued offering free site visits that provide participants, including multifamily properties, restaurants, offices, and retail stores with a summary of findings and recommended next steps for leveraging Hawaii Energy rebates.
“Hawaii Energy is honored to receive this national recognition for the third time from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy,” stated Caroline Carl, executive director, Hawaii Energy. “Over the last year, we have remained dedicated to broadening the reach of energy-saving resources and knowledge to Hawaii residents and businesses, while also enhancing energy efficiency accessibility and affordability for rural and underserved communities.”
Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners. For a complete list of 2024 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR’s awards program, visit energystar.gov/awardwinners.