Bay Area Delays Water Heater Rules, Expands Homeowner Exemptions

BAY AREA, CA — Bay Area air regulators have delayed new water heater emission standards by one year and expanded exemptions for certain homeowners.

The Bay Area Air District Board of Directors voted Wednesday to extend the compliance deadline to January 2028, according to the district's water heater rule information.

Qualifying replacement water heaters must meet a zero-nitrogen oxide emissions standard, but working units do not need to be replaced. Stoves, dryers, fireplaces, water heaters holding 30 gallons or less, and mobile home water heaters are exempt.

The amendments establish exemptions for:

• Low-income property owners: Those earning less than 80% of area median income, receiving qualifying public assistance or spending more than 28% of their income on mortgage payments and property taxes.
• Space limitations: Properties lacking sufficient room or ventilation for compliant equipment.
• Electrical limitations: Properties with insufficient electrical capacity or requiring electrical lines longer than 50 feet.

The board also extended the deadline to January 2033 for water heaters in multifamily buildings, deed-restricted affordable housing and certain specialized units.

Regulators adopted the zero-emission standard in 2023 to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution, which contributes to smog and fine particulate matter.

Its analysis estimates that pollution from gas-fired water heaters and furnaces causes up to 85 premature deaths and 15,000 asthma attacks annually across the Bay Area.

Homeowners can find additional details on exemptions, deadlines and rebates on the district's webpage.