Be Careful What You Wish For: Natural Gas/Propane Water Heater Bans Would Increase Both Carbon Emissions AND Energy Costs in 36 States

Laws passed in California, New York, and several other states to ban natural gas and propane water heating are often presented as models for the rest of the nation.  However, an independent study finds that this policy would increase carbon emissions in 36 states by an average of 6 % and increase household energy cost by $176 per year. 

Study results are based on ZIP-level analysis of individual homeowner data for more than 1 million US dwelling units with natural gas or propane water heaters. 

The fact that policies designed to reduce emissions will actual increase emissions and cost homeowners more is ironic, to say the least.

Emissions and costs for each state are provided at  https://maisy.com/ng_waterheater_ban.htm .  Analysis results are also available for other geographic areas.