What Does the Berkeley Ban on Natural Gas Mean for Your Home?

We are halfway through the year, and while it may seem like a long time in the past, just six months ago California took its first steps towards the phasing out of natural gas. In July of 2019, legislation was passed to ban the hookups of any new natural gas lines in Berkeley, and in January of 2020 the law went into effect. 

So what could this mean for your home and the appliances that utilize natural gas to keep your water hot, your kitchen running, and your home comfortable?

The Natural Gas Ban and Multi-Family Homes

Firstly, it's good to know what will be immediately affected by this landmark legislation.

This law only affects new construction of multi-family buildings, at present, with some exceptions for retail and large commercial construction. So unless you are moving into a brand new apartment building, multi-unit condo, or other multi-family building, you will be able to hold on to your combustion appliances (for now — more on this later).

This natural gas ban was enacted to help the state of California reach its carbon-reducing benchmark goals by the year 2045. And since natural gas accounts for about 25% of all of the state’s carbon emissions, this is a hefty start to making California a zero-carbon-energy state.

Home Appliances That Do Not Use Natural Gas 

What are the options for these new multi-family buildings that cannot utilize natural gas? There are plenty of all-electric options available, and the “all-electric home” is rising in popularity as we say goodbye to natural gas. 

All Electric Appliances

• Electric Heat Pump Furnaces and Air Conditioners

• Ductless Mini Splits

• Heat Pump Water Heaters

• Induction Stoves

Installing these appliances will “electrify” your home, and because of the high-efficiency operation of this all electric equipment, it can actually save you money on your monthly energy costs. This is the main advantage of heat pump heating, cooling, and water heating, in addition to the on-demand comfort they provide! Plus, if you are a BayREN customer looking to go all-electric, your upgrades may qualify for lucrative rebates through the Home+ Rebate Program.

What the Berkeley Natural Gas Ban Means For the Future

This ban may only affect new construction of multi-family housing, however, it is important to take the cue that this is potentially only the beginning of California’s natural gas ban. As natural gas lines become a thing of the past, Hassler is looking to the future of home energy, and there are many benefits to switching to an all electric home sooner rather than later! Benefits include:

• Reduced carbon footprint

• A safer home (less carbon monoxide, reduced risk of a pipeline explosion)

• Lower energy costs

• Early code compliance

So, what do you need to do about the natural gas ban? Nothing, yet, unless you plan to move to a newly built multi-family building. But what you can do now is plan for an all-electric future! Ask Hassler Heating and Air Conditioning today about which all-electric appliances may be right for your home here in Alameda, Contra Costa, or Marin County.

Wondering if you need to worry about the natural gas ban? Hassler Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to answer all of your questions and help you plan for the future. Call us at 510-848-3030 or get in touch here.