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WEBSTER, N.Y. — A new law in New York is set to phase out non-electric appliances in new homes by 2026. The mandate aims to reduce the state’s environmental impact, but it is facing local pushback.
Jim Barbato, who’s company, Pridemark Homes, is building new homes in Webster, said the mandate requires new construction of seven stories or less to be all-electric starting Jan. 1, 2026. This includes furnaces, hot water heaters, and appliances.
“The big challenge is that we already have a shortage of electric in the area,” Barbato said. “So now by switching to all electric, we will have the ability to build fewer homes, which is a challenge because there’s currently a shortage of houses.”
New York state says electric buildings are less expensive to build and can be cheaper to run long term. However, Barbato disagrees, citing rising costs due to increased demand.
“It could be a cost of anywhere from $10,000, $15,000, $20,000 per new home that’s built,” Barbato said.
USC Builds, another local contractor, said builders receiving state subsidies have been following all-electric standards for some time. They emphasized the importance of these standards for the planet and long-term energy independence. While construction costs may seem higher initially, they said it is typically neutral or more cost-efficient compared to mixed-fuel homes. You can read their full statement below:
“Affordable housing developers and other builders receiving state subsidies have actually been constructing to all-electric standards for some time now. This is ultimately the direction New York State is moving toward—and the direction we must move toward collectively—to protect both our planet and our long-term energy independence.
At the micro level, the cost implications are felt more by the end user than the builder. In the short term, all-electric buildings may see higher energy costs, but direct construction costs typically remain neutral—and in some cases, all-electric installations can even be more cost-efficient.
At the macro level, though, this transition demands commensurate investment in grid and infrastructure capacity. Many communities across the state are eager for more housing and commercial development, yet their local electric grids simply can’t support the additional load today.
This is the right move for the future, but it also introduces a new set of challenges that must be addressed collaboratively—through thoughtful planning, infrastructure investment, and continued innovation in how we build.”
Barbato suggested that electrical companies need to improve infrastructure and that the state should slow down the mandate.
New York state officials said the current grid can handle the transition and that they are increasing the grid’s capacity with renewable energy sources. Waivers can be given in areas where the grid is unable to support the changes.
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