In the near future, it will be extremely difficult to install gas appliances for heating purposes in new homes and businesses in the state of Washington.

Recently adopted building code amendments mean that builders will have to match the energy efficiency of heat pumps if they want to install gas in new buildings. These new requirements may come into effect as early as March 15, unless there are further legal challenges.

Earlier this year, Washington temporarily halted its original gas appliance ban following a federal court ruling that overturned a similar measure in Berkeley, California. The ruling declared that state and local governments cannot ban gas appliances, as per the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

However, last week, the state Building Code Council approved a modified version of the original ban. The Seattle Times reports that instead of banning gas heaters outright, the new codes make it more costly for builders to meet energy efficiency standards without installing electric heat pumps.

Under the new codes, new homes and buildings will have to achieve the same overall energy performance as those built with electric heat pumps, while builders will have the flexibility to choose appliances. Essentially, if builders opt for gas appliances, they will be required to compensate for the efficiency losses elsewhere in the construction.

Heat pumps available today can produce three to four times as much heat energy as the electricity they consume. This high energy efficiency saves American consumers anywhere from $815 to $1,287 per year.

The Building Code Council contends that the new amendment aligns with the legal requirements. However, gas utilities such as Cascade Natural Gas, Northwest Natural, and Avista argue that the modified codes continue to undermine the federal government’s authority in regulating appliances.

The gas industry also argues that the regulations will make housing more expensive. Although heat pumps do reduce energy bills, their upfront costs are far higher than gas furnaces.

With an average installation cost of $5,925, air source heat pumps are almost three times more expensive to install than gas furnaces. Gas furnaces cost an average of $2,175.

New York became the first US state to ban gas appliances earlier this year. Seattle has had a local ban in effect since 2021.

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