Everything You Should Know About New York State’s All-Electric Building Law

New York State’s All-Electric Buildings Act has officially gone into effect, and it is set to change how homes and businesses across the state are built and powered. For fuel customers, this raises big questions about the future of energy choice, reliability, and cost, making it important to understand exactly what this law means and how it may impact your New York home.

What Is the All-Electric Buildings Act?

The All-Electric Buildings Act was passed in 2023 as part of New York State’s budget and has now gone into effect. To put it simply, this new law restricts the use of traditional energy sources like heating oil, propane, and natural gas in new construction, requiring electric-only systems instead.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, new low-rise residential buildings will no longer be allowed to include fossil fuel equipment, and by 2029, the same requirement will apply to all new construction.

What This Could Mean for New York Homeowners

This new law will affect homeowners in different ways, depending on whether you’re buying new construction or maintaining an existing fuel-based system.

Buyers of New Construction Homes

For those considering a new build, this law changes what kind of systems can be installed, all the way down to your preferred appliances. Here are some impacts:

• Limited appliance choices: Fuel-powered options like gas stoves, propane fireplaces, and traditional water heaters will no longer be allowed, limiting how families can outfit their spaces.
• Less reliable during outages: When the power goes out, so does the heat, leaving homeowners without backup options.
• Higher energy bills: Depending on the electricity rate, heating with electric systems can be more expensive than traditional fuel options.

Existing Homeowners with Fuel-Based Systems

While current homes’ heating systems may not be directly impacted yet, there are long-term concerns to keep in mind. Here are a few:

• 3-year window for replacement of fossil fuel powered appliances: Within 3 years, all appliances fueled by heating oil, propane, or natural gas will need to be replaced. If this goes through, they will create an artificial urgency to replace existing appliances, and it will result in even higher costs to homeowners.
• Rising uncertainty: While your current propane, oil, or gas heating system is allowed, the push for electrification creates long-term uncertainty about future restrictions or added costs that fall on homeowners’ shoulders.
• Grid reliability concerns: Electric-only heating is vulnerable to blackouts and price spikes, while fuel-based systems continue to provide dependable heat regardless of grid issues.
• Losing a reliable option: By pushing all electric, the state is sidelining proven systems like heating oil, natural gas, and propane gas, which homeowners depend on for steady heat.

Bove Fuels’ Commitment to You

For more than 95 years, we’ve been proud to serve our community with dependable fuel delivery and unmatched customer service. While new building codes may change how future homes are built, our team remains committed to you and your home. We’ll continue to keep you informed with the latest updates and help you understand how these laws may affect you. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your options, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is always here to provide answers and support.