A planned phaseout of new gas water heaters in the Bay Area is still moving forward, but not as soon as some residents had feared.
Regulators have pushed the policy to 2028 and added hardship exemptions, signaling that the region remains focused on cleaner homes while making more room for households facing real cost and logistical barriers.
What’s happening?
The proposed sales ban on new gas water heaters has been postponed, and the revised version now includes exceptions for households that may have a hard time making the switch right away.
According to The Press Democrat, officials are still trying to move homes away from gas appliances, but the latest draft gives more flexibility to residents worried about affordability, emergency replacements, and the challenges that often come with older housing…