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APCD moves to pair furnace NOx limit with rebate funding after board debate over timing and affordability
Summary
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District proposed lowering NOx limits for new/replacement natural‑gas furnaces from 40 to 14 ng/J; after technical briefings and industry concerns about upfront costs and inventory, the APCD board approved a CARB‑funded furnace rebate program and authorized staff to implement it while deliberating the rule timing.
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District on June 9 held a technical public hearing on proposed amendments to Rule 74.22, which would lower the allowable nitrogen‑oxide (NOx) emissions from new and replacement natural‑gas fan‑type central furnaces from the current 40 nanograms per joule to 14 ng/J.
APCD Executive Officer Adi Rasemi told the board the change would align the county with neighboring air districts and encourage ultra‑low NOx burner technology. Staff estimated an emissions benefit of about 104 tons per year by 2051 and calculated an incremental equipment cost of about $550 per unit for the lower‑NOx technology. Do Younge Meng of APCD explained the proposed compliance timeline and described exemptions for mobile‑home furnaces and high‑elevation operations.
Contractors and HVAC businesses warned the board that previous, rapid rollouts in larger districts led to field problems with early units and that many homes and existing systems require careful matching of gas pressure, venting and other site conditions. Christian Quiroz, an HVAC general manager in Moorpark, urged incentives rather than an immediate mandate: “When we force somebody to only have a single option ... you are forcing them to pay more out of pocket,” he said, pointing to callback risks and retrofit complexity.
Board members pressed staff on affordability and delivery of incentives. Several supervisors recommended a longer lead time to let manufacturers and dealers adjust inventories and to make point‑of‑sale or voucher arrangements available to residents who face emergency replacement costs.
After detailed discussion, the APCD board voted to adopt and authorize a CARB‑approved furnace rebate project plan that uses CAP and CHIRP funds to offset incremental costs for ultra‑low NOx burners or zero‑emission electric heat‑pump replacements. The board also directed staff to finalize rebate delivery mechanisms (including third‑party processing or vouchers) and pursue outreach to minimize upfront costs for residents who need emergency replacements.
What changed: the board did not finalize a stricter sale/install ban without pairing it to an approved incentive approach; instead, the board approved the rebate program (and funding acceptance) to help residents and small businesses cover incremental costs while the rule implementation timeline is refined.
Next steps: staff will finalize program delivery (voucher vs. post‑purchase rebate), publicize manufacturer/distributor outreach, and return with implementation details and any recommended timing adjustments before the rule becomes effective.
