Is Your Home Ready for Every Season? Check Your Gas Heater or Upgrade to a Heat Pump

Author: Jonathan Vannarath, Director of Operations at Ameri-Cal Repipe and Plumbing Inc. 

During these colder months, many of us are focused on spending more time inside our homes with loved ones. But as an HVAC installer who’s in the business of keeping homes warm, comfortable, and insulated from pollutants like wildfire smoke, I’m here to remind you: don’t get too comfortable just yet. If your heating system runs on gas, now is the time to have it inspected for leaks, ventilation issues, and overall safety. Better yet, consider making the shift to a heat pump—a modern, affordable alternative that’s better for your family and your budget.

This year, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is set to vote on Rules 1111 and 1121, which would accelerate the adoption of heat pumps by setting stronger emission standards for gas appliances. These critical rules would give residents the support they need to transition to more modern and efficient technology while promoting public health and helping meet California’s climate and air quality goals. 

Poor ventilation in your home from a faulty gas heater can quickly put your family in danger. A minor gas leak, often invisible and odorless, can turn into a major health hazard with carbon monoxide poisoning. Getting your gas heater inspected by a professional can help catch leaks or blockages in the ventilation system before they turn into emergencies. 

Even if your gas heater runs flawlessly, consider what else it costs you: increasingly high energy bills, a higher carbon footprint, and poor air quality. By design, a gas heater releases harmful emissions every time you turn it on. In a season meant for rest and relaxation, no one should have to worry about the harmful air quality in and around their homes.

Upgrading to a zero-emission heat pump offers a smarter, safer option. Imagine a system that keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer without burning gas, reducing indoor and outdoor pollution to benefit your health. Heat pumps work by moving heat from the outside air into your home using electricity rather than combustion. That means no gas, no onsite emissions, and a major improvement to the air your family and community breathes. Heat pumps are up to 3x more efficient than traditional heating, including gas furnaces, meaning they use less energy to produce the same amount of heat.

What’s more, the latest heat pump water heaters are "smart" devices. These advanced features allow users to monitor energy consumption, water use, and even detect leaks, all through their smartphones. With this technology, homeowners can take control of their energy use while ensuring their systems run smoothly and efficiently. It’s a key innovation that makes heat pump water heaters an even more compelling choice for today’s energy-conscious consumer.

I get it—upgrading to a new system sounds like a hefty investment. But the good news is that there are more incentives than ever before to help you make the switch. Rebates and tax credits are available at the federal, state, and local levels that can cover a significant chunk of purchase and installation costs. Programs like the Go Zero Rebate Program that will be launching in the Los Angeles region make it easier and more affordable to transition to modern, electric heat pumps for space and water heating. And considering how much you’ll save on energy bills in the long run, it’s an investment that can pay for itself.

But incentives alone won’t make the clean energy transition happen at the scale we need. That’s why the SCAQMD must take bold action by passing Rules 1111 and 1121 in 2025 and expand the Go Zero Rebate Program, ensuring more families—especially low- and moderate-income households—can access these modern, clean energy technologies.

Preparing your home to weather any season  isn’t just about staying warm or cool—it’s about safety, efficiency, and long-term health for our communities. Schedule a gas heater inspection if you still rely on one, and seriously consider upgrading to a heat pump. Let’s urge SCAQMD to take the necessary steps to make this technology more accessible to everyone. By acting now, you’ll save on energy, breathe cleaner air, and create a healthier, safer home for you and your family.