August 5, 2015
COMPLIANCE ADVISORY
New Rule 69.5.1 – Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters and
Repeal of Existing Rule 69.5 – Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters
On June 24, 2015, the Air Pollution Control Board adopted new Rule 69.5.1 – Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters. Rule 69.5.1 can be found on the District’s website at http://www.sdapcd.org/rules/Reg4pdf/R69-5-1.pdf and will become effective on July 1, 2016. This new rule will replace current Rule 69.5 – Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters, which will be automatically repealed on that same date.
Existing Rule 69.5 regulates oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from natural gas-fired water heaters (units) with a rated heat input capacity of less than 75,000 Btu per hour. New Rule 69.5.1 includes similar requirements to Rule 69.5, but with more stringent NOx emission limits. These new NOx emission limits reflect the availability of lower-emitting and more energy efficient combustion technology. The new rule will not affect existing water heaters, but rather will apply only to new and replacement units. New Rule 69.5.1 will also provide manufacturers a sell through period of existing inventories until the effective date (July 1, 2016) of Rule 69.5.1.
Specifically, starting July 1, 2016, the new rule will:
Specify NOx emissions limits of 10 nanograms per joule or 15 parts per million by volume (ppmv) for new water heaters, and 40 nanograms per joule or 55 ppmv for new mobile home water heaters.
Prohibit the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution, or installation for use within San Diego County, of any new unit with a rated heat input capacity of less than 75,000 Btu/hr that does not comply with the emission standards of the rule.
Require a manufacturer of any new unit to be offered for sale within San Diego County, to submit to the District a statement certifying that each model of water heater complies with the provisions of the rule. Certifications should be submitted to jimmie.cooksey@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Require a manufacturer to display on the shipping carton and the nameplate of every new unit to be offered for sale within San Diego County, the model number and certification status of the unit in compliance with new Rule 69.5.1 or, alternatively, the most current requirements of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1121 – Control of Nitrogen Oxides from Residential Type, Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters.
Require a manufacturer to keep emission test records and certification records for as long as the unit model is offered for sale or sold within San Diego County, or for three calendar years after manufacture, whichever is longer.
A list of current certified units can be found on the South Coast Air Quality Management District website at http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/planning/product-certification/rule-1121-
certified-residential-type-natural-gas-fired-water-heaters.pdf?sfvrsn=8.
For more information, please contact the District’s Compliance Division at (858) 586-2650 or Eric Luther, District Business Assistant, at (858) 586-2656.
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