In March of 2023, the 9-county Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) banned natural gas water heaters and furnaces in existing homes (in addition to new construction).  They voted on this ban and passed it in 2023 – it is current law.

In the near future, the BAAQMD intends to ban the remaining gas appliances, including stoves, ovens, fireplaces, and clothes dryers. Ultimately, they intend to require homeowners to remove the gas lines from their homes completely. 

The first gas appliances to be banned by the BAAQMD –  gas water heaters and gas furnaces – will force most homeowners and small businesses to redo their electrical systems. The renovations necessary to prepare a home’s electrical system to accommodate all-electric major appliances will cost families and small business owners tens of thousands of dollars. The older the home, the more the renovations will cost.  This will place a massive burden on families, put renters at risk, and jeopardize local small businesses.

Starting on January 1, 2027, if your water heater breaks,you cannot replace it with a gas water heater. Beginning on January 1, 2029, if your gas furnace breaks, you cannot replace it with a gas furnace.  Starting on January 1, 2026, sellers of residential property must disclose the BAAQMD ban on gas appliances and make the buyers aware of the electrical system renovations necessary to accommodate electric appliances.

If a homeowner’s water heater breaks after January 1, 2027, and they have not already renovated their electrical systems, their home could be without hot water for many months, depending upon the scarcity of local contractors & electricians and PG&E’s permitting and approval backlog.

This past June, after receiving 30,000 written comments, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in Southern California rejected two similar measures, one to ban gas water heaters and furnaces, and, after hearing much opposition, an amended measure to charge a $100 fee on the sale of these gas appliances.

Counties covered by the ban include Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.

Read more: toocostlybayarea.com