Be it enacted by the Youth Model Legislature of the State of New Jersey that programmable thermostats be implemented by construction companies in all future construction projects according to the guidelines set forth in this Bill.
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Section I:
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When designing and constructing any building in New Jersey, construction companies will ensure that programmable thermostats, not non-programmable devices, are used in regulating temperature.
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Section II:
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For the purposes of this Bill, building is defined as any structure that would conventionally require the installation of a thermostat.
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Section III:
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Furthermore, a programmable thermostat is defined as “a thermostat which is designed to adjust the temperature according to a series of programmed settings that take effect at different times of the day.” A list of approved devices will be sent to all registered construction companies by the State.
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Section IV:
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Programmable thermostats are designed with pre-programmed settings that lower the temperature 7 - 10 degrees F during the winter and raise the temperature by the same increment during the summer when the building is not occupied. Users may adjust these settings according to their preferences. In adjusting the temperature in accordance with the building's occupation, thermostats can help cutback 15 – 20% in energy usage, saving home and business owners hundreds of dollars each year. Additionally, because the heating system is not being shut down, energy does not have to be wasted in re-heating or cooling the building 20 - 30 degrees.
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Section V:
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All buildings whose construction is approved by the State prior to the date of effect will not be affected by this Bill. However, if an extension to a building must be approved by the State or local government after the effective date, the owner of the property is required to install programmable thermostats in that extension.
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Section VI:
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Special cases: (a) If a building utilizes a heat pump system, then specially designed thermostats must be used. (b) If a building uses electrical resistance heating systems, line-voltage programmable thermostats must be installed. All special case thermostat options will be indicated in the list of approved devices (Section III). (Note: Special cases must still abide by all other sections of the bill; however, only Section VI applies to them)
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Section VII:
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If a building uses more than one thermostat (i.e, apartment complex, school) then programmable thermostats shall be used for each thermostat indicated in the building design (i.e., in each apartment or in each classroom)
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Section VIII:
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Though programmable thermostats are very easy to use, construction companies will be responsible for providing online or print manuals to all owners of new construction.
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Section IX:
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According to the New Jersey State Department of Community Affairs, "In New Jersey, State-licensed, municipally employed code enforcement professionals--construction officials, subcode officials, and inspectors--are responsible for the enforcement of construction codes." Since this Bill is a mandate for all new construction, these enforcement professionals will be responsible for ensuring that construction companies install programmable thermostats in all newly constructed buildings.
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| Statement of Intent: The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that standards of heating and cooling in New Jersey homes and businesses meet the goal of the New Jersey Energy Master Plan, which is ultimately “ensuring that New Jersey electricity and heating fuel customers will receive a reliable supply of electricity and heating fuels at a reasonable price, consistent with the State's environmental priorities.” In instituting a mandatory installation of programmable thermostats, the State would be making a commitment towards improving energy efficiency.
Effective Date: This Bill shall take effect on 1 January, 2012.
Financial Statement: This Bill shall cost $5,000 for the re-writing of law books. An additional $1,000 will be needed for the mailing of the approved list of programmable thermostats to all construction companies in the State. No cost will be incurred by the state for buying or installing programmable thermostats in buildings; construction companies will be responsible for this. The average cost of a programmable thermostat is not significantly greater than that of a non-programmable thermostat.
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* Primary Sponsor |
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