Santa Clara County photo
How we heat water at home may soon start to change. Bay Area Air District Rule 9-6 will phase out the sale and installation of nitrogen oxide (NOx)–emitting water heaters as soon as January 2027, although the Air District will be considering exemptions and a delayed start date this fall. The rule was adopted to improve air quality and reduce harmful pollution exposure in our communities and will affect approximately 120,000 small water heater replacements each year. As the Bay Area transitions to cleaner equipment, contractors will play a critical role in helping residents navigate the change. BayREN is helping contractors develop the knowledge and skills they needed for this transition.
Earlier this year, BayREN hosted six in-person trainings on heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) across the Bay Area, providing contractors with guidance on Rule 9-6, best practices for HPWH installation, and opportunities to connect with manufacturers. Contractors who attended the trainings highlighted their value. One participant shared, “This training was very useful for any contractors new to HPWH and regulations.” Another added, “This training is essential in knowing how to help close deals and knowing what to install.”
To reach more contractors, BayREN is organizing additional trainings in the second half of 2026 in partnership with Marin Clean Energy. “Contractors will be trusted messengers and implementation partners to help make our communities healthier,” said Elizabeth Harris, from the Office of Sustainability and Resilience in the County of Santa Clara.
With Emerald Cities Collaborative, BayREN also recently launched a Contractor Heat Pump Mentorship Program and is now accepting applications for its first cohort. The program will match plumbers new to HPWHs with seasoned installers through a dedicated training cohort and hands-on learning opportunities.
To learn more about BayREN’s efforts to help contractors prepare for HPWH installations, visit: https://www.bayren.org/hpwh-trainings.To apply as a mentor or mentee to BayREN’s Contractor Heat Pump Mentorship Program, visit: www.bayren.org/hpwh-mentorship.