What the rules actually say
In March 2023 the Air District’s board amended Regulation 9, Rules 4 and 6, which limit nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from residential furnaces and water heaters. NOx contributes to smog and fine particle pollution, and gas appliances in buildings are a significant source of it in the Bay Area.
The amendments set zero-NOx standards on a schedule. Because only electric equipment can meet a zero standard today, the effect is to phase out sales of new gas units for installation in the nine-county Bay Area, including Fremont, Newark and Union City in Alameda County and Milpitas in Santa Clara County.
| Appliance | Zero-NOx standard applies to units manufactured from |
|---|---|
| Residential water heaters under 75,000 BTU/hr | January 1, 2027 |
| Residential and commercial furnaces | January 1, 2029 |
| Water heaters 75,000 BTU/hr to 2 million BTU/hr, incl. tankless | January 1, 2031 |
What it means for your home
Nothing changes for appliances already installed. You can keep using and repairing your current gas furnace and water heater for their full life. The rules apply to new appliances manufactured after each date.
Where it matters is planning. A gas water heater is usually 10 to 15 years old when it fails, and a furnace 18 to 25. If yours is getting close, it is worth deciding now, while you have time to compare, rather than choosing in a hurry when the tank leaks into the garage.
- Water heater 10+ years old: get a quote for a heat pump water heater alongside a gas tank
- Furnace 15+ years old: compare a furnace replacement with a heat pump
- Panel at 100 amps: ask about load management and 120-volt heat pump water heaters
Electrical readiness
The biggest practical question in older Fremont neighborhoods like Cabrillo and Parkmont is the electrical panel. Many 1960s homes have 100-amp service. That is often enough for a heat pump water heater and a heat pump, especially with smart load management, but it needs to be checked on site. We include a panel review in every replacement estimate.
Do not wait for a breakdown
The single best thing you can do is know the age of your equipment. The manufacture date is usually on the rating plate or encoded in the serial number. Call us with the model and serial and we will tell you how old it is and what your options look like, at no charge.