Facts and Myths

The loudest voices New Yorkers hear talking about climate change aren’t always the most truthful ones – passing this law was an uphill battle against misinformation, and we continue to fight that misinformation.

Some have straight up lied about the all-electric buildings law, attempting to manipulate New Yorkers for their own political advantage. New Yorkers deserve to know the facts. So, let’s cut through the noise and bust some myths about the law.

• Myth: New York has banned gas stoves, or will even be seizing them from homes
  • Fact: Gas stoves are still legal in New York State under this law; existing homes are unaffected by this bill, and New Yorkers are free to keep the stoves currently in their home; additionally, there are numerous carveouts and exemptions that will allow gas to be used in some new construction even after the law goes into effect

• Myth: If my gas stove breaks, I will need to replace it with an electric one
  • Fact: You will still be allowed to purchase and install gas appliances as replacements

• Myth: All-electric buildings are more expensive for consumers
  • Fact: Electric buildings can save homeowners nearly $1,000 a year on heating. ¹

• Myth: All-electric buildings are more expensive to build
  • Fact: Electric buildings are cheaper than mixed-fuel ones According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, this is because all-electric homes only need a single heat pump system, eliminating separate, redundant systems for oil or gas ²

• Myth: New York’s grid can’t handle the energy demand from new all-electric buildings
  • Fact: The grid is up to the task; energy-efficient all-electric buildings will use significantly less electricity than buildings which run on fossil fuels ³
  • New York is also rapidly increasing its grid’s capacity with renewable energy sources ⁴
  • And in places where the grid can’t handle this increase in demand, waivers can be issued

• Myth: Only fossil fuels can effectively heat buildings in our cold climate
  • Fact: New research shows that electric heat pumps can heat homes in temperatures as low as -13 degrees, all while using just 1/3 of the energy of gas or oil heat⁵ helping families reduce their utility bills by hundreds of dollars every year⁶

• Myth: Heat pumps put residents at a disadvantage during a power outage
  • Fact: Gas furnaces also require electricity, leaving them equally vulnerable compared to heat pumps; additionally, gas-powered generators are still permitted under New York’s law⁷

• Myth: New Yorkers will be forced to switch their homes over to electric
  • Fact: The law will prevent most new buildings from installing fossil fuel-burning equipment; it does not apply to existing buildings

• Myth: The all-electric buildings law will destroy jobs
  • Fact: The New York State Climate Action Council predicts it will create 100,000 new jobs in energy-efficient construction, heating and cooling⁸

• Myth: These new requirements are in effect now
  • Fact: The new law will start phasing in beginning in 2026 and will be fully implemented beginning in 2029, depending on the size of the construction project