Highlights of the 2025 New York City Energy Code

NYC adopted a new Energy Conservation Code in December 2025. Here’s what you need to know.

Original publication by Urban Green Council • January 14, 2025

New York City Council adopted the 2025 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) in December 2025. The NYC Energy Code will reduce energy waste, lower utility bills and improve comfort and indoor air quality by adopting statewide baseline provisions and more ambitious city-specific amendments.

Here are key highlights for building owners and professionals. The NYC Energy Code:

1. Will be enforced starting in March 2026

NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) is expected to begin enforcing the new code on March 30, 2026 when updated compliance software is fully available. Filings submitted before that date must comply with the 2020 NYC Energy Code.

2. Aligns with the new 2025 statewide baseline 

The NYC Energy Code adopts the statewide baseline set by the new Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State (ECCCNYS). The State Energy Code incorporates the 2024 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2022, which are respectively estimated to provide 7.8 percent residential and 9.8 percent commercial site energy savings on a national basis, and adopts additional state amendments.

The State Energy Code includes measures that advance energy efficiency with improved building envelope performance—through stronger insulation and air sealing, lower U-factors for windows, and provisions for mitigating thermal bridges—updated testing and inspection procedures, and enhanced lighting efficiencies. 

The statewide code also limits electric resistance heating systems—which are inefficient and costly to operate—in most multifamily and commercial buildings. The code also applies guardrails on the use of backup electric resistance to supplement heat pump systems in all buildings.

3. Adopts even more ambitious energy efficiency measures to reduce costs

The NYC Energy Code also includes energy efficiency measures that go beyond the statewide baseline. This includes:

• Lower U-factors for windows and doors in low-rise residential buildings to reduce heat loss.
• Expanded residential and commercial requirements for detailing and evaluating thermal bridges as part of the construction documentation process. 
• Commercial requirements for the documentation and inspection of air barrier commissioning as part of construction documentation to ensure continuity and durability.
  

4. Incorporates smart electrification incentives beyond the state code to further minimize grid strain

New York City’s Local Law 154 of 2021 already requires most new buildings to be all-electric, and updates to the NYC Energy Code are designed with smart electrification in mind. NYC’s code includes further restrictions on the use of electric resistance backup heating systems, capping their capacity at 25% of total design load and permitting their use only when temperatures drop below 17F.

In addition, new residential requirements for dwelling units to be provided with a heat recovery or energy recovery ventilation system will yield savings, particularly when paired with heat pumps to lower heating loads. Demand response requirements for commercial water heating and lighting will also help to maximize efficiency and savings.

DOB is expected to begin developing additional code improvements through the design of performance-based compliance pathways, as required by Local Law 32 of 2018. After 2025, the law requires DOB to propose “predicted energy use targets” that would enable eligible buildings over 25,000 square feet to meet the energy code by designing to a performance target based on their forecasted annual energy use.

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