Justin Lee, justin.lee@sunstonestrategies.com
EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clean air advocates gathered at the 1-888 Heat Pumps warehouse today to urge the Bay Area Air District’s board to preserve the core clean air protections of the region’s zero-emission water heater rule while approving proposed amendments. These amendments would extend the compliance date for covered water heaters to 2028 and provide flexibility for households facing financial or installation challenges. The board will vote on the proposals Nov. 4.
“We don’t have to choose between cleaner air and affordability,” said Igor Tregub, Berkeley City Councilmember. “By moving forward with these standards and providing flexibility for households that need it, the Bay Area can protect public health and make the transition to cleaner, more efficient technology work for everyone.”
Adopted in 2023, the Bay Area Air District’s standards were the first in the nation to require that new water heaters and furnaces emit no smog-forming pollution. Under the water heater rule, when a gas water heater needs to be replaced, the replacement unit must meet that standard. The rule does not require households to replace functioning gas water heaters ahead of time.
Cleaner air and better health
Gas water heaters and furnaces release nitrogen oxides (NOx, pollutants that contribute to smog and are linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health problems. The standards aim to improve air quality and protect public health, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by pollution.
Gas water heaters and furnaces in Bay Area homes and buildings together emit more smog-forming NOx pollution than the region’s passenger vehicles, according to the Air District.
The Air District estimates that its standards for gas water heaters and furnaces together could prevent up to 85 premature deaths and 15,000 asthma attacks each year.
Bret Andrews, DO, a neurologist who has practiced in the East Bay for more than 25 years, emphasized the importance of clean air to public health.
“Our health is determined not just by the quality of care we receive, but also by the air we breathe. Clean air is a public health necessity and an investment in our future. I urge the Air District to move forward with its clean air standards, including flexibility measures, so we can protect the health of Bay Area residents today and for generations to come,” said Dr. Andrews.
Heat pumps can lower household energy costs
Replacing a gas water heater with a heat pump water heater can also reduce household energy bills. An analysis from RMI estimates that 19 of 20 Bay Area homes would save money by making the switch, with average annual savings of about $360.
Bay Area homeowner Kristina Pappas said incentives and assistance programs helped make fully electrifying her home more affordable. She received incentives through California Energy-Smart Homes for home electrification upgrades and connected with a water-heating assistance program through the San Francisco Department of the Environment.
"Since making the switch to highly efficient heat pumps, I now have reliable, efficient heating, cooling, and hot water year-round, making my home comfortable. It has made a world of difference, and I want other Bay Area residents to get these benefits in a way that works for them," Pappas said.
Financial incentives and changes to state law are also helping address barriers to installation. According to SPUR, about $145 million a year goes to Bay Area home energy-efficiency programs, including roughly $55 million for heat pump incentives, with another $315 million projected through 2029. California has also enacted legislation to streamline permitting for residential heat pump installations, helping reduce barriers for homeowners and contractors.
Additional statements from speakers:
“The Bay Area is more than ready for this transition. I spent years teaching students to solve problems. Heat pumps solve a lot of them at once: cleaner air, lower bills, and great career pathways. We’ve grown from me in my dad’s toolshed to over 20 employees in the last three years,” said Owen Krebs Grimsich, owner of 1-888-Heat-Pumps and former math teacher.
“At Rebuilding Together, we’re already helping low-income households install heat pump water heaters at no cost through our programs, showing that we can move toward healthier, safer homes without leaving our most vulnerable neighbors behind,” said J.W. Frye, CEO of Rebuilding Together East Bay Network.
“The Air District has worked with stakeholders across the region to develop amendments that protect the rule’s core clean-air benefits while addressing affordability and installation challenges. With appropriate exemptions and a practical implementation process, we can make sure the transition works for Bay Area households,” said Sam Fishman of SPUR.
“The proposed exemptions recognize that households face different challenges, from limited space or electrical capacity to financial constraints. Making the process straightforward is important so residents can access the flexibility they need,” said Fangxue Zheng, a campaign organizer with Local Clean Energy Alliance.
“Young people deserve to grow up breathing clean air and knowing that our leaders are protecting our future. Supporting strong clean-air standards, including cleaner water heaters, is a practical step toward healthier homes and safer communities. Our future is at stake, and young people deserve a voice in shaping it,” said Jesika Sapkota, San Bruno High School student, Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action.
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