A new townhouse in Brooklyn or a new build in Scarsdale is now usually designed without a gas line, and that changes how the fireplace conversation starts. In an all-electric home the fire feature is electric by design, so the real decisions are about realism, heat, and how cleanly the unit sits in the wall. Our built-in electric fireplaces are where most of these projects begin.
The short answer
New buildings in New York City have been largely all-electric since January 1, 2024 for buildings under seven stories, under Local Law 154. A matching New York State law covers the rest of the state, including Westchester, but as of October 19, 2026 it is still suspended by court order while the challengers decide on a Supreme Court petition. For an all-electric home, choose a built-in electric fireplace: water vapor for the most lifelike flame, LED for size and color, and a 240V model on a dedicated circuit if you want real supplemental heat.
Key takeaways
- NYC Local Law 154 bars on-site fossil fuel combustion in most new construction; existing buildings are not affected.
- The state version, which reaches Westchester, was upheld on appeal but is not being enforced yet. Confirm status with your building department.
- Water vapor fireplaces look the most like real fire; LED models go wider, brighter and more colorful.
- A 120V unit tops out around 1,500 watts, roughly 5,100 BTU. Models wired for 240V can roughly double that.
- Plan the electrical early: a dedicated circuit and a hardwired connection are standard for premium built-ins.
In this guide
- Quick pick by priority
- Why are new homes going all-electric?
- Water vapor or LED: which looks more real?
- How much heat: 120V or 240V?
- Recessed, wall mount or media wall?
- Apartments in Manhattan and Brooklyn, houses in Westchester
- Our recommended models
- Which should you choose?
- Frequently asked questions
Quick pick by priority
| If you care most about | Look for | A model to start with |
|---|---|---|
| The most realistic flame | Water vapor (Opti-Myst, Aquafire) | Dimplex Opti-Myst Pro 1500 |
| Real supplemental heat | A 240V capable unit on its own circuit | Napoleon Astound, Dimplex Ignite Ultra |
| A long linear media wall | LED linear, 60 inches and up | Amantii Panorama Deep XT, Modern Flames Landscape Pro |
| A shallow wall or apartment | Slim recessed or wall mount | Napoleon Astound FlexMount, SimpliFire Scion |
Why are new homes in NYC and Westchester going all-electric?
Two laws are doing the work. In the five boroughs, Local Law 154 of 2021 prohibits the on-site combustion of fuels that emit more than 25 kg of CO2 per million BTU in new construction. According to the NYC Department of Buildings, it took effect January 1, 2024 for new buildings under seven stories, December 31, 2025 for affordable housing under seven stories, and July 2, 2027 for buildings seven stories or taller. It also reaches alterations filed as new buildings, but not ordinary renovations.
Outside the city, the All-Electric Buildings Act (Energy Law section 11-104) prohibits fossil-fuel equipment and building systems in new buildings: those seven stories or less on or after December 31, 2025, and all other new buildings after December 31, 2028. Buildings that existed before those dates are excluded, along with their repairs, alterations and additions. Exemptions cover backup power, manufactured homes, certain commercial uses and a grid-infeasibility waiver.
Is the state law in effect yet?
Not yet. In November 2025 the state agreed to suspend enforcement while the court challenge played out. On June 30, 2026 the Second Circuit upheld both the state law and Local Law 154, three judges to none, and rehearing was denied on August 26, 2026. A Supreme Court petition is due around November 24, 2026. The Department of State lists the provisions as suspended. If no petition is filed, the state law could take effect as soon as late November 2026. Please confirm the current status with your local building department before you design around it.
Does that rule out a gas fireplace?
The statute does not name fireplaces. It bans equipment that burns fossil fuel, and a gas or propane fireplace burns fossil fuel, so in a covered new building it would fall inside the prohibition. Existing homes are a different matter; our NYC fireplace code guide covers them.
From our install team
On new construction we now get the call at framing, which is the right time. Firebox size, wall depth and the circuit are all decided before drywall, and a fireplace planned that early looks built in rather than added.
Water vapor or LED: which looks more real?
A water vapor fireplace lights a fine, cool mist from below, so the flame has real depth and moves in the air. It is the closest thing to a log fire in an all-electric home. The trade-offs are a water supply, either a tank you refill or a direct plumb line, and a firebox that is typically deeper than an LED unit.
The Dimplex Opti-Myst line is the reference here. Dimplex lists the Opti-Myst Pro 1500 at 120V and 1,460 watts with a fan-forced heater, and an optional plumbing kit for continuous operation. The Aquafire Pro takes a different approach: it produces no heat, offers more than 30 LED flame colors, and can be filled from its tank or connected straight to a water line, which makes it a strong choice beneath a television or in a bedroom.
LED fireplaces win on scale and flexibility. They run wider, install shallower, and offer flame and ember colors that suit a contemporary room. The best of them now layer flame, ember and downlight effects, and from across a living room they can be very convincing. Our water vapor fireplace buying guide covers maintenance.
Water vapor fireplaces Linear electric fireplaces
How much heat does an electric fireplace give: 120V or 240V?
This is the one technical point worth understanding before you choose. A standard 120V household circuit limits an electric heater to about 1,500 watts, which works out to roughly 5,100 BTU. That is supplemental warmth, not a heating system. Wire the same class of fireplace for 240V and the heater can deliver substantially more.
| Model (manufacturer data) | At 120V | At 240V |
|---|---|---|
| Dimplex Ignite Ultra 74 | 1,500 W, 5,118 BTU | 2,500 W, 8,530 BTU |
| Napoleon Astound | 1,500 W | 3,000 W (up to 10,000 BTU) |
| Dimplex Opti-Myst Pro 1500 | 1,460 W, 4,981 BTU | Listed at 120V |
| Aquafire Pro | No heater | Not applicable |
In an all-electric house a heat pump usually carries the load, so the fireplace is for atmosphere first. If the room is a sunroom, a finished basement or a large great room, a 240V model is worth the extra wiring. All of them can run the flame without heat. For the full picture, see do electric fireplaces heat a room.
Do you need a dedicated circuit?
For premium built-ins, plan on it. Napoleon's Astound built-in manual calls for a dedicated 15 amp grounded circuit and hardwiring by a qualified electrician, on either 120V or 240V. Dimplex documents both a 120V three-wire and a 240V four-wire connection for the Ignite Ultra. In an all-electric house with an induction range, heat pump and car charger, confirm panel capacity at the same time.
Not sure what fits your space? Send us your wall dimensions and electrical plan and we will match the firebox, voltage and finish to the room. Book a free design consultation and we will help you narrow it down.
Recessed, wall mount or media wall?
A fully recessed fireplace, finished flush with stone, plaster or tile, needs a framed chase of the correct depth: the Napoleon Astound FlexMount, for example, needs about 7.5 inches of framing depth, while the Dimplex Ignite Ultra 74 calls for a 15 inch deep opening. The FlexMount can also mount on the wall surface when a wall cannot be opened.
A media wall pairs the fireplace with a television, shelving and lighting in one composition. Keep the heater's discharge and the TV apart: Napoleon's manual warns that heat above the appliance can damage electronics, so follow the fireplace manual and your TV maker's heat limits. Our guide to the best fireplace under a TV covers spacing in detail.
From our install team
Ask your designer to place the junction box and any low-voltage wiring for the TV before the chase is closed. Too often we are called to a beautiful finished wall with the power in the wrong place.
Apartments in Manhattan and Brooklyn, houses in Scarsdale, Rye, Bronxville and Larchmont
In a Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens apartment, an electric fireplace is often the only practical fire feature: there is no chimney to vent and no gas to run. Co-op and condo house rules can be stricter than city code, and many boards require an alteration agreement and a licensed electrician for any new hardwired circuit. Our apartment fireplace guide covers board approvals.
In a Westchester house, the work is closer to a millwork project. New York State's Uniform Code and Energy Code apply outside New York City, and each village, town or city, from Scarsdale and Bronxville to Rye and Larchmont, enforces them through its own building department. Confirm the all-electric rule's status there for any new build. Existing homes with gas service are not affected by the state law.
Our recommended models
Premium built-ins we stock and install, chosen for realism, heat and fit.
Dimplex Napoleon electric Amantii Modern Flames SimpliFire All electric fireplaces
Which should you choose?
Choose water vapor if:
- Realism matters more than width.
- You can give it a deeper chase and a water connection or a refill routine.
- The room is traditional or transitional and wants a log fire look.
Choose a 240V LED linear if:
- You want a long flame across a media wall.
- You want meaningful heat on cold evenings.
- You are building new and can run a dedicated 240V circuit now.
Choose a slim 120V unit if:
- You are in a co-op or condo with limited wall depth.
- The board limits new electrical work.
- Atmosphere is the goal and heat is a bonus.
For a new all-electric house in Westchester or a new townhouse in the city, our default recommendation is a 240V capable linear fireplace, fully recessed, on its own circuit, planned at framing. If you want the most convincing flame and the wall allows it, a Dimplex Opti-Myst built-in is the one to see in person. See our electric fireplace buying guide for more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a gas fireplace in a new home in New York?
In New York City, most new buildings under seven stories have been all-electric since January 1, 2024 under Local Law 154. The statewide law, which would cover new buildings seven stories or less, was upheld on appeal but remains suspended as of October 19, 2026. Check with your building department before you plan a gas fireplace in a new build.
Does the all-electric law apply to my existing house?
No. The state law excludes buildings that existed before its effective date, including repairs, alterations and additions. Local Law 154 applies to new buildings and to alterations filed as new buildings.
How much heat does a 120V electric fireplace produce?
A 120V electric fireplace heater is typically limited to about 1,500 watts, or roughly 5,100 BTU. Models wired for 240V produce more, for example 8,530 BTU for the Dimplex Ignite Ultra 74.
Do I need an electrician to install a built-in electric fireplace?
For most premium built-ins, yes. Many are hardwired, and Napoleon's Astound built-in manual specifies a dedicated 15 amp circuit installed by a qualified electrician. Co-op and condo boards usually require a licensed electrician as well.
Talk to a specialist
See the flame in person before the walls close
We have been designing, selling, installing and servicing fire features and outdoor kitchens for over 30 years across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and South Florida. Bring your plans and we will show you water vapor and LED side by side.
Book a free consultation Call 718-326-4328Showroom: 58-30 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, Queens. Our Greenvale, Long Island showroom at 13 Glen Cove Road opens winter 2026. Plan your visit.
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Written by the NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens team. Last reviewed October 2026. We sell, install and service the products discussed here.
Sources: NYC DOB, NY Energy Law 11-104, NYS Department of State, Barclay Damon, Mulhern v. Mosley, Spectrum News, Dimplex Ignite Ultra specifications, Dimplex Opti-Myst Pro 1500, Napoleon Astound manual, Napoleon Astound 62 FlexMount, Amantii Panorama Deep XT, Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim, SimpliFire Scion, Aquafire Pro. Specifications change; always confirm with the manufacturer's current installation manual.