Mixed votes for Bay Area ban on gas water heaters

This month, the board, including Corzo, approved a nine-month delay of implementing the ban until October 2027 largely to give time for outreach and the development of possible exemptions. Meanwhile, some board members expressed hesitancy to support such a ban altogether, including Mueller.

The ban — which requires homeowners to replace traditional water heaters with electric heat pump models when their equipment breaks or needs to be replaced — looks to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 5%. 

However, the Bay Area Air District board itself has acknowledged most of the nitrous oxide emissions come from heavy industry, wildfires, transportation and agriculture, not from within the home.

Mueller said the ban was an underdeveloped plan that inflicts a costly burden onto homeowners for a slight impact on emission rates. Ideally, implementation would be delayed for at least another two years, he said. 

“It’s a cost that is being levied on people’s property that no one voted for by a board that isn’t even directly elected by those they’re levying the tax on,” Mueller said. “It’s kind of like this is a new green tax we’re going to put on everybody.” 

The equipment needed to replace gas water heaters with heat pump water heaters will cost an average of at least $3,500 or more. 

The actual costs would be far more extensive though; should the equipment require electric panel upgrades as well, adding thousands of dollars to the true cost, Mueller said. 

The air district also discussed possible exemptions for the ban’s implementation, possibly for low-income residents or for certain specific projects. These will be further refined ahead of a final vote by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District slated for October 2026. 

Mueller also raised concerns about the ban being an unfunded mandate. While counties or cities could look into supporting residents with rebate programs or other mechanisms to ease costs of property owners, one way or another the cost will likely be inflicted on residents. 

“It’s going to create a cost for every jurisdiction — or not, and just create a cost for consumers,” Mueller said. 

The ban would also disproportionately affect seniors on fixed incomes or people who live in “old housing stock” that has outdated appliances. Many recent builds are already compliant with the regulation, or are more readily able and equipped to handle the upgrade, Mueller said. 

“I do think it would be better to spend our time providing people with incentives and focusing program areas on those who want to do it and can afford it,” Mueller said. 

Corzo could not be reached for comment ahead of publication. 

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