South Coast AQMD Board Shoots Down Proposed Rules
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Board voted 7–5 to reject proposed rules 1111 and 1121 that would have required replacing small gas appliances with electric ones.
The proposal will go back to committee for more review.
The rejected rules mainly focus on smaller, home-style furnaces and water heaters, but commercial buildings with similar equipment would have been affected too.
Rule 1146.2, which covers larger commercial water heaters, boilers, and process heaters, still requires a phased transition to zero-emission equipment between 2026 and 2033.
What You Need to Know
If approved, rules 1111 and 1121 would have required that failing small gas furnaces in existing buildings be replaced with equipment like heat pumps. With incentive programs helping cover the costs.
Our Codes and Regulations Committee was active in their feedback to the South Coast AQMD. Their input helped highlight the need for a realistic timeline, adequate incentive programs, and clearer guidance for property managers navigating the transition.
We hope as the proposed rule changes go back to committee, that our feedback is still considered.
How It Impacts You
To meet Rule 1146.2, buildings with large water heaters or boilers (up to 2 million Btu/hr) must switch to electric, zero-emission models when the current unit reaches the end of its useful life. This requirement starts in 2026 for new buildings and 2029 for existing ones.
For now, any expensive electric replacement rule changes are paused—but the discussion will continue.
More proposals may come, so property managers should keep getting ready for electrification and building clean-up rules.
If your business sells or works on HVAC or water heaters, this delay gives you more time to prepare for changes.
Stay Connected
Staying informed about these developments is essential.
Being engaged in both our Codes and Regulations Committee & Sustainability Committee helps our members provide feedback to groups like South Coast AQMD. This feedback ensures that regulations reflect the needs and concerns of the CRE industry.
Follow BOMA on the Frontline for more news impacting members.
