Starting from January 1, 2027, according to a new regulation, gas water heaters will be prohibited from use. This regulation will require upgrades and updates to electrical circuits when switching to an electric furnace in older homes. It is estimated that the cost of replacing a household water heater from the day this regulation takes effect could be as high as tens of thousands of dollars.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District in Northern California passed a regulation in March 2023 that prohibits the installation of gas water heaters in any residential property. Therefore, as of January 1, 2027, the nine counties within the jurisdiction of this district in the Bay Area will no longer issue permits for the installation of gas water heaters.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District oversees nine counties in the Bay Area, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, the southwestern area of Solano, and the southern area of Sonoma.
Approximately 2.5 million households reside within these nine counties. How can residents in these areas prepare in advance and reduce the high costs associated with this new regulation? With this question in mind, a reporter from The Epoch Times interviewed a specialized company, IRBIS HVAC, which installs new electric water heaters.
Established in 2019, IRBIS is an engineering company located in San Jose specializing in water plumbing, air conditioning installation, and maintenance. The company currently employs nearly a hundred staff members and was recognized as one of the fastest-growing 5,000 businesses in the United States in 2024.
According to Tim Alagushov, the Chief Business Officer of the company, IRBIS’s success in becoming one of the fastest-growing enterprises in the United States in less than 6 years is attributed to its efficiency, service quality, and attention to engineering details, which surpass competitors in the industry.
Alagushov explained that due to the high cost of installing new electric furnaces, the California government offers tax breaks to furnace installers, and some non-profit organizations in the Bay Area also provide subsidies to residents. However, with a high number of residents applying for subsidies, some subsidy programs are facing a shortage of funds. Therefore, residents who need to replace old gas water heaters should take action as soon as possible.
Combined with government tax breaks and various organizational subsidies, the total amount can exceed $6,000. Alagushov gave an example that the lifespan of a typical old gas water heater is around 10-15 years. If a household’s gas water heater is over 10 years old, it is advisable to consider switching to electric now. Waiting until the furnace breaks down in a few years may result in missing out on current tax breaks and subsidy opportunities.
He also mentioned that IRBIS provides comprehensive services with dedicated personnel. They prepare necessary documents for residents in need of electric water heater installation, apply for various subsidies on their behalf, and even assist in obtaining building permits from local governments.
Customers in need of IRBIS’s services can visit https://www.irbishvac.com or call (669)200-3106 (Erika Lee) for further information.