Make smart electrification decisions for your home.
The Bay Area’s 2027 water heater rule is coming. We’ll help you understand what it means for your house, what replacement actually costs, what rebates you qualify for, and connect you with vetted local contractors when you’re ready.
Takes 2 minutes. No email required to see results.
Sample result
Rule appliesHomeowner in Oakland, gas tank, modern panel, family of 4
9
Bay Area counties covered
$5K – $8K
Typical install cost
Up to $3,000
Rebates currently active
Jan 1, 2027
Compliance date
The 30-second version
What the 2027 rule actually says.
Starting January 1, 2027, any new gas water heater sold and installed in the nine-county Bay Area must meet zero-NOx emission standards. In practice that means heat pump water heaters or a small set of certified gas zero-NOx tankless models.
You don’t need to replace anything today. Your existing heater can run until it dies. The rule kicks in on your next replacement if that happens after the compliance date.
Read the full Rule GuideReplace before 2027
Any compliant water heater can be installed today — including standard gas tanks.
Replace after 2027
The new unit must be zero-NOx — typically a heat pump or certified gas tankless.
Federal + state rebates
25C tax credit (30% up to $2,000) and BayREN ($1,000) currently active. Some state programs are waitlisted.
Possible exemptions
BAAQMD has proposed flexibility amendments for older homes and major electrical upgrades. Check eligibility.
How it works
From confused to quoted in three steps.
Answer 8 quick questions
Where you live, your current setup, electrical panel, household size, timeline. Two minutes, no email needed.
See your options + costs
We match you with replacement paths (heat pump, gas zero-NOx, exemptions), local cost ranges, and stackable rebates.
Connect with vetted contractors
When you're ready, we send your details to up to 2 hand-vetted Bay Area contractors. No spam, no shopping your number around.
What it costs
Real Bay Area cost ranges, rebates included.
Sample ranges below assume mid-density Bay Area cities with standard install conditions. Your actual quote depends on your electrical panel, location of the unit, and contractor pricing.
See the full Cost Guide| Option | All-in cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
240V heat pump Rebates: $1,000 + 30% federal | $4,400 – $7,800 | Modern panel, garage/exterior |
120V plug-in heat pump Rebates: $1,000 + 30% federal | $3,000 – $5,500 | Older panel, no electrical upgrade |
Gas zero-NOx tankless Rebates: Limited | $5,500 – $9,000 | Tight closet space, high demand |
Standard gas tank Rebates: — | $2,800 – $5,200 | Pre-2027 replacement only |
Cost ranges last verified 2026-05-08. See Sources for citation list.
Why us
Not a marketplace. A second opinion you can trust.
Independent decision tool
We’re not a contractor. Your options are picked by your situation, not by who pays us the most.
Sources on every claim
Every cost, rebate, and exemption is cited and dated. You can verify everything we tell you.
Exclusive lead routing
Your details go to up to 2 vetted contractors — never a marketplace shopping your number to ten companies.
Not a marketplace mill
We don’t buy traffic from Angi or HomeAdvisor and resell it back to you. Our quality bar is high and the network is small on purpose.
Common questions
FAQ
Ready to find your replacement path?
Two minutes, eight questions. You’ll see your options, what they cost, what rebates you qualify for, and whether you’re likely exempt.