Bay Area to Eliminate Natural Gas Heating Appliances in Favor of Electric

The San Francisco Bay Area Air Quality Management District has approved a gradual phaseout of natural gas-powered water heaters and furnaces in an effort to eliminate harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The rules will ban the sale of NOx-emitting natural gas water heaters in 2027 and prohibit NOx-emitting furnaces in 2029 and large commercial water heaters in 2031. Exposure to NOx emissions can lead to respiratory infections, asthma, and other health issues. The new amendments are expected to save up to $890 million annually in pollution-related health impacts and prevent an estimated 85 premature deaths and dozens of new asthma cases in the Bay Area each year.