NYS Legislature Shifts HVAC Industry Towards Electric

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!