All-Electric Push Continues In SoCal: No More Gas HVAC, Water Heaters

Millions of Southern California home and/or business owners who rely on natural gas furnaces and/or natural gas hot water heaters will likely be forced to change out their systems in the coming years under rule changes proposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Under federal and state law, the SCAQMD is required to ensure state and federal air quality standards are met within the district’s South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange and Riverside counties, as well as most of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

According to the SCAQMD, the proposed rule changes (Rules 1111 and 1112) require replacing natural gas heating systems and/or natural gas hot water heaters with zero-emission models like electric.

When finalized (expected this year), the rule changes would take effect in two to five years but would only be required when gas appliances break or are voluntarily replaced.

However, there is some flexibility in the proposals. For example, exceptions would be allowed for construction or utility upgrade delays, high-altitude areas, and owners of multifamily buildings.

SCAQMD is working on an incentive program to provide rebates for residents, building owners, and businesses that will be required to make costly equipment updates, including hiring licensed electricians to run new power supply lines and, for some owners, installing new electric panels.

The SCAQMD’s proposals, otherwise known as zero-NOx rules, are in line with efforts by the California Air Resources Board that aim to reduce building-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Several California cities already have codes in place that require all-electric appliances. For example, the city of Los Angeles requires new residential and commercial buildings to be built all-electric, with exceptions for commercial cooking.

In the South Coast Air Basin, more than 75 percent of households use gas appliances for cooking, which accounted for about 11 percent of total residential combustion emissions in 2018, according to the SCAQMD.

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 2513, which would have prohibited the sale of gas stoves in California unless the appliances contained specified warning labels alerting consumers to health risks associated with the products.

The SCAQMD states that pollutant emissions from residential cooking appliances are not currently regulated by the district or any other agencies.

Language in support of SCAQMD’s proposed zer0-NOx rules states that there are health benefits associated with zero-emissions heaters and water heaters, including the prevention of: 4,000 premature deaths, 16,000 cases of newly onset asthma, and 4,000 emergency room visits.

SoCalGas, which serves Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, has about 5.9 million customers, according to the utility.

SCAQMD has already held public meetings about the proposed rule changes for natural gas heaters and water heaters. The next two events on the calendar are a March 6 “public consultation,” followed by a May 2 public hearing. Get more information here.