Big changes are coming to new home construction in New York, and if you’ve been picturing cozy winter nights with a gas fireplace or cooking Sunday breakfast on a gas range, now is the time to act.
Starting January 1, 2026, most new homes in New York will no longer be allowed to connect to natural gas mains or install fossil-fuel heating, hot water, stoves, fireplaces, or dryers. This is part of the New York All-Electric Buildings Act, a sweeping change that will require most new builds to go fully electric. For homeowners planning a new build in Monroe, Ontario, or Wayne County, the clock is ticking. There’s still a window to be “grandfathered in” and keep natural gas as an option, but only if your building permit is filed on time. Here's what you need to know.
Why Gas Hookup Changes Are a Big Deal in Upstate New York
Upstate New York winters are more than "a little chilly." We’re talking long stretches of subfreezing temperatures, lake-effect snowstorms, and ice that can last for months. In this environment, homeowners have historically leaned heavily on natural gas heating for its speed, high heat output, and reliability.
In the Greater Rochester area, natural gas is also widely available in suburban and urban neighborhoods. Communities like Webster, Penfield, Canandaigua, and Macedon are already gas-ready, with existing mains running along most residential streets. In these areas, gas heating systems have been the standard for decades, which means contractors, service technicians, and homeowners alike are familiar with how they perform and how to maintain them.
Moving to all-electric heating and cooking changes the equation in several ways.
Cost of Natural Gas vs. Electric
Gas prices in New York have historically been more stable in winter than electricity rates, though both can fluctuate. Electric heat pumps can reduce annual energy usage in milder climates, but in our cold zone, they need careful design to keep operating costs competitive.
Performance Expectations
A gas furnace delivers a steady blast of warm air at 120–140°F, which feels instantly hot. Heat pumps deliver lower-temperature air more continuously, comfortable when designed right, but different from the quick “on-off” feel of gas.
Backup Needs
Power outages in winter are rare but possible. Many gas furnaces still require electricity to run the blower, but in a pinch, a small generator can keep them going. All-electric homes often require a larger backup system (generator or battery) to maintain heat and cooking during outages.
The “Grandfathering” Window: How to Keep Gas in a New Build
The law’s most important nuance is grandfathering. If you submit your substantially complete building permit application before the cutoff date, you are allowed to install natural gas systems in your forever home, even if construction continues into 2026 or beyond.
Why the “Substantially Complete” Standard Matters
Municipalities can’t issue a permit based on partial information, and the state’s definition is specific: A “substantially complete” application contains all documents necessary for a full code review, including plans, site information, and supporting engineering.
For most homeowners, this means you need to be fully committed to your home design and ready to proceed. This isn’t a “hold your place in line” situation. A missing truss spec or unsigned plot plan could mean your application is rejected and resubmitted, potentially missing the deadline. Here's what you'll need to secure your build with gas.
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Choose your floor plan — with finalized room layouts and square footage
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Select structural options — basement type, ceiling heights, porches, and extensions
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Confirm mechanical systems — if you want gas heat, hot water, or cooking, it must be reflected in your plans and specs
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Complete site-specific documents — surveys, grading plans, and drainage designs
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Finish any required HOA review — some neighborhoods have an architectural review board that must sign off before you can submit to the town
Step-by-Step: How to Lock in Gas Service Before the Deadline
Let’s break this into real-world, Rochester-area advice so you can move confidently toward your dream home with every feature on your list.
Step 1: Choose Your Homesite and Verify Gas Availability
Not all communities in suburban Monroe or Ontario County have gas mains running to every lot. Gerber Homes references utility maps and coordinates directly with RG&E or other local providers to confirm whether a service lateral can be installed. Here's a quick breakdown of the utility infrastructure in our area.
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Webster and Penfield — most established neighborhoods have gas service available.
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Farmington and Macedon — some developments are gas-ready, others are served by propane or are planned all-electric.
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Rural Ontario and Wayne Counties — availability varies widely; you may be outside RG&E’s service area.
Why it matters: Adding gas service where none exists can be costly and time-consuming. The sooner you know, the better your decision-making.
Step 2: Finalize Your Home Design
If you want a gas fireplace, gas cooktop, or specific furnace type, those details affect not only your mechanical plans but also venting, cabinetry, and appliance allowances.
Common homeowner mistakes:
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Leaving appliance decisions for later. Appliance fuel type must be known at the permit stage.
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Forgetting that a gas fireplace still needs framing space and vent clearance.
Step 3: Submit Your Permit Application Early
Don’t aim for December 30th. Building departments in Monroe, Ontario, and Wayne Counties typically reduce hours around the holidays, and weather delays can slow surveys or site work needed for your submittal package.
Gerber’s internal process aims to have permit packages ready at least 3–4 weeks before the state deadline to avoid last-minute snags.
Step 4: Coordinate Utility Requests
Even with a grandfathered permit, RG&E still has to process your gas service request, schedule installation, and connect the home. In peak building seasons, utility crews can be booked weeks or months out.
After the Deadline: All-Electric Homes in Cold Climates
If your new home will be all-electric, here’s how to make it work, and work well, in Upstate winters.
Heating & Cooling: Cold-Climate Heat Pumps
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Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) — Newer models operate efficiently down to –15°F, with variable-speed compressors that adjust output based on demand.
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Geothermal Systems — Use the stable temperature of the ground to provide highly efficient heating and cooling. This option includes higher upfront cost but excellent long-term performance.
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Dual-fuel Setups — While gas won’t be an option for new builds after the ban, some systems pair heat pumps with electric resistance backup for the coldest days.
Pro tip: The design stage should include a Manual J load calculation to right-size the equipment. Oversizing or undersizing can hurt comfort and efficiency.
Hot Water: Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH)
These work like a reverse refrigerator, pulling heat from the surrounding air to warm water. They work best in basements or mechanical rooms with some ambient warmth.
Cooking: Induction
Induction ranges heat cookware directly through magnetic energy. They boil water faster than gas, are easier to clean, and eliminate combustion gases from the kitchen, a plus for indoor air quality.
Electrical Panels: Sizing for the Future
An all-electric home with heat pumps, electric water heating, and induction cooking can easily require 200-amp service. If you plan for EV charging, you may want to consider a panel upgrade or a smart load management system.
Find more cost information about the custom home you've got in mind here.
How Gerber Homes Helps You Beat the Deadline
The reality is simple: once January 1, 2026 arrives, you can’t “opt back in” to gas for a new home. If you want that choice, you need to act now. As a local builder, we’ve been tracking the gas hookup changes closely, and we’re ready to help you:
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Select a gas-ready lot in one of our communities
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Confirm utility availability with RG&E
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Finalize your design to meet both your needs and the permit requirements
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Assemble a complete permit package so you’re not delayed
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Submit on time and get confirmation from the municipality
Build Your Dream Home in Greater Rochester Before the Gas Deadline Passes
Lock in your gas service before it’s gone! If you’ve been thinking about building a custom home in Greater Rochester, this is your moment to move. Gerber Homes has been guiding local families through the homebuilding process for over 60 years. We know the permitting requirements in every town we serve, from Webster and Penfield to Canandaigua and Macedon, and we handle all the details so you won’t miss the deadline.
Contact Gerber Homes now to schedule your consultation and start building before the window closes.
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