Having a reliable company that handles the heating and air conditioning for your home may be more important than ever, as New York State has passed a law that is changing the landscape of the heating and air conditioning industry throughout the entire state.

Cerrone Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning has a long and successful history in both residential and commercial industries in this region that spans over 25 years. Cerrone has professionally-trained plumbers and HVAC technicians that are capable of completing a job from beginning to end.

There is new legislation in effect in New York State that is aimed at lowering greenhouse emissions by prohibiting the installation of fossil fuel equipment in new buildings starting in 2026… The law effectively requires all-electric heating and cooking in new buildings shorter than seven stories by 2026. This legislation will prohibit gas hookups in most new homes and other constructed buildings, and is expected to help the state transition from fossil fuels consumption to meet new electric-only requirements. This ban on gas hookups in new buildings is a move to lower carbon pollution from homes and businesses, which account for about 30% of New York state’s greenhouse gas emission.

New York is the first state to pass a law that will ban natural gas and fossil fuels in new buildings. Existing buildings will not be affected by this law, so residents will not be forced to get rid of their existing gas stoves or appliances.

This new legislation is pushing the heating and cooling industry towards heat pumps. A heat pump runs on electricity and can both heat and cool the home… As the industry evolves and changes, Joe Cerrone, owner of Cerrone Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, sees what he calls “hiccups” with covering the heating load of a house: “When a house is converted to be all electric, the heat pump will have a back up strip heater in the unit… So when the heat pump can’t keep up, the electric heater will help cover the load. The issue is that the electrical panels are not large enough to take care of the load of the house… So if the house has a 150-amp panel and with all of the electricity being drawn from it, the panel would have to be upsized to a 400-amp meter.”

As the technology shifts and changes, supporting the new advancements is one of the types of problems that will crop up… Joe Cerrone, with his experience in the field of HVAC, would recommend a gradual change towards the technology: “Right now, people still like their standard furnaces… They are all hooked up, and the furnaces last for 15 years or so. Right now, what I would recommend to customers is if their central air conditioning system needs to be replaced, then replace it with a heat pump,” Cerrone said.

To encourage customers to install heat pumps, there are substantial rebates that are in effect to offset the cost to the consumer. These rebates are between $500 and $5,000. Cerrone Plumbing Heating & Air conditioning has completed the training for the certifications to be an affiliated contractor to install the heat pumps.

Although the industry is shifting, the technology of heat pumps is not new: “We’ve been installing heat pumps, mainly mini-ductless heat pumps, for 15-plus years… So they have been around… Heat pumps and central air heat pumps have come in the last 5 years and have gotten better. If people install heat pumps, they will use less fossil fuel sources and more electricity to heat and cool their homes. Heat pumps have come a long way… In some situations they can take the whole load for the house,” Cerrone said.

This new legislation has been seen as a major victory for climate activists; however, it will most likely face court challenges from the fossil fuel industry. Critics of the law argue that it limits consumer choice, while supporters argue that because the law only affects new construction, the transition will happen gradually… Currently, about 14% of households in the state heat with electricity, whereas around 60% of households still rely on natural gas.

As the legislation moves into effect and the industry shifts toward cleaner sources of energy, it may be a good time to talk to a local HVAC company about what is the best option for heating and cooling your home. Contact us today at Cerrone: We’re always here to help!

Kristopher Brunelle is a Navy Veteran turned local entrepreneur. In October of 2022, Kristopher started his own company, White Glove Janitorial Service… His motivation for opening his own business was that he knew that he could do better himself, and teach others to do better for themselves as well.

Kristopher Brunelle and his team serve medium to large offices, medical practices, car dealerships, and day care centers. White Glove Janitorial provides office cleaning, carpet cleaning, interior window washing, restroom cleaning, sanitation and re-stocking, floor stripping, waxing and buffing and specialized disinfection services. Kristopher and his employees use proven techniques, proper tools and equipment, in-depth training, and an intensive focus on team mentality and quality control to ensure that the client is pleased with their clean work environment.

Kristopher Bruenelle, as the owner of White Glove Janitorial, draws his professional expectations from his time in the military – Kristopher enlisted in the Navy for job security during the uncertain economic times of 2008 and the “Great Recession”. His goal when entering the military was to have a stable job, where he could learn skills that he would carry with him past his military career. Kristopher has been able to utilize the training that he gained in the military, and apply it to both his business and to building his team.

Kristopher is now separated from the Navy, which means that he has been released from active duty. During his time in service, he was a E-5 builder in the Construction Battalion, known as the Seabees – which is coined from the abbreviation “CB.” During his tour of duty, Kristopher spent a lot of time cleaning, and he found the activity to be cathartic for him… Having both his equipment and spaces in a ready state was comforting in a world of chaos. When he joined the Seabees, Kris found out that he was joining a battalion that “built where others couldn’t.”

This concept of pushing forward, and succeeding where other people couldn’t, has helped Kristopher build his own business. The military taught him the importance of getting a job done, even if it seems impossible.

Through the military, Kristopher gained the tools he has used to be a good leader and, eventually, a good employer. During his time in the Navy, he learned a lot about people and about working together. On his tour, he spent time in Spain, Croatia, Afghanistan, Japan and Africa.

He had the opportunity to lead increasingly larger groups of people, and discovered that each individual team member brought specific strengths to the team, while their weaknesses could be shored up from the strengths of other team members… Kristopher carries with him the experiences that he gained overseas, which remind him to try and see the world from someone else’s perspective.

As Kristopher grows his business, he often revisits the lessons that he learned in the military. As a unit, it was necessary for each individual to work as a team: “There wasn’t the option to fire someone if they weren’t doing a good job. So, I learned to find a way to motivate that person so that the unit could get the best results. As an employer, I find myself using those same tools,” Kristopher said.

“I want to motivate the people who work for me to learn and grow. From my time in the Navy, I have gained the skills necessary to assess people and offer positions that they may have been previously overlooked. Everybody brings strengths and attributes, and as an employer I try to find what a person can bring to the table.”

As an entrepreneur and a father, it has also been important to Kristopher to teach his little girl Lindsey life lessons… Kristopher and his wife Kealy are raising Lindsey to be an independent thinker when it comes to business. Lindsey gets to see her mom go off to work as a teacher every day, and that sets structure in her young life. When she is home with her dad, he is often working out of his home office, and she gets to see that you don’t have to work a “Nine-to-Five” job to succeed – it’s ok to follow your own path.

“I want to motivate the people who work for me to learn and grow. From my time in the Navy, I have gained the skills necessary to assess people and offer positions that they may have been previously overlooked. Everybody brings strengths and attributes, and as an employer I try to find what a person can bring to the table,” Kristopher said.

As Kristopher sets goals for his business and watches his daughter grow, he is thankful for the community that came from his military career, as well as the Veterans Business Network, The Adirondack Chamber of Commerce, and military friends and mentors Juan and Amy Gonzales, who give so much help and support to Veterans.

For more information, please visit 518whitegloveservice.com