Vancouver, BC — Vancouver has approved updates to efficiency standards for replacement water heaters.
Effective Feb. 28, 2025, major home renovations exceeding $150,000 will be required to install higher-efficiency water heaters. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, all replacement water heaters in detached homes and duplexes must also meet the highest efficiency standards.
“This new update to Vancouver’s building code is a step in the right direction. It won’t add costs for residents, streamlines existing renovation requirements and makes it simpler to get a permit while helping to cut our emissions,” said Ken Sim, mayor of Vancouver.
The approved requirement will accommodate various equipment, such as gas heat pumps, hybrid heat pumps, electric heat pumps, and electric resistance water heaters.
Gas appliances are not banned through this approval; however, electric water heaters are the only ones efficient enough to meet the approved requirements.
The changes are expected to help cut greenhouse gas emissions from heaters in half by 2035, the equivalent of 3,700 cars’ emissions.
To view the full approved document, visit Vancouver Water Heaters Report.