CAP Measure E-1.2 Alternatively-Powered Water Heaters looks to require all new and replacement water heaters in residential units in the unincorporated county to transition away from tank-based natural gas systems to either solar, electrically-powered, or tankless systems. Once established, the Measure will help homeowners save money on their water and electric bills and provide a subsidy to existing homeowners who meet certain income criteria to reduce the cost of replacement.

This measure will require all new and replacement water heaters to be alternatively powered, including solar, electric powered, or tankless. In developing the ordinance amendment, the County Department of Planning and Development Services (PDS) has assessed the cost effectiveness of solar, electrically-powered, and tankless gas water heater systems as well as evaluated the feasibility of incentive options.

The average life span of a residential natural gas water heater is 13 years. Using cleaner, more efficient water heaters avoids greenhouse gas emissions from water heaters powered by fossil fuel. The County will track permits obtained for water heater installations and estimate greenhouse gas emissions from the amount of water heaters installed in new residential development and replaced in existing households.

The average American household of four persons use 63 gallons of hot water every day for showering, laundry, washing dishes, and running kitchen and bathroom faucets. By installing tankless natural gas or electric water heaters, homeowners can save 8% to 25% in energy use. Energy efficient models provide on-demand heat, reduce heat transfer loss from traditional tank systems, and can be run on renewable energy sources in the case of electric heater equivalents. Residents can also increase energy efficiency at home by installing efficient interior and exterior lighting, improving building insulation, managing plug loads, and increasing water conservation. To find out more about tankless and electric water heaters, click here.

Federal Department of Energy, Selecting a New Water Heater