07/24/2025
HOMEOWNER ALERT - $$$
Help Stop the Ban on Natural Gas
A new law banning natural gas appliances will require renovations to a home’s electrical system at massive costs.
WHO – The regional Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), which covers the 9-county Bay Area, passed a law affecting all homeowners and business owners in the Bay Area.
WHERE – The 9-county Bay Area includes the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.
WHAT – A law banning the sale or installation of gas water heaters and furnaces, which are the first two gas appliances banned in existing homes (as well as new construction). Ultimately, they plan to ban all gas appliances.
WHEN – January 1, 2026, sellers of residential property must disclose the existence of the BAAQMD’s Rules banning natural gas appliances and making buyers aware of the electrical system renovations necessary to accommodate electric appliances.
January 1, 2027, the sale or installation of gas water heaters is prohibited.
January 1, 2029, the sale or installation of gas furnaces is prohibited.
COMPLICATIONS – Most homeowners are unaware that replacing a gas appliance with an electric version of the same appliance will require substantial home renovations.
COSTS – Homes built in the 1980s or later are likely to require less extensive upgrades than those built before the 1980s. Homes with underground power lines are significantly more expensive to renovate than homes with overhead power lines. Overall, most homes will cost $50,000 or more to convert to an all-electric system.
ASK – To determine the cost of renovations for your home to convert to all-electric, contact a local electrician or general contractor.
OTHER AREAS - In June, the Southern California Air Quality Management District rejected a similar ban due to overwhelming opposition from homeowners and renters.
OPPOSITION – A local homeowner coalition has formed to urge the BAAQMD to reverse the ban it imposed on natural gas appliances (Rules 9-4 & 9-6). For more information on this effort, visit: TooCostlyBayArea.com
