§ 778-aa. Home heating system conversion. 1. All home improvement contractors as defined in subdivision five of section seven hundred seventy of this chapter or any other person providing an estimate or engaged in the installation of home heating systems shall include in any estimate of the cost of converting an existing oil home heating system to a natural gas, electric or any other home heating system a separate estimate detailing the costs related to the closure, abandonment and/or removal of a home heating oil storage tank. In addition, any person making such estimate shall also provide a copy of any applicable local law, or if there is no local law then such person shall provide a written statement to that effect. 2. Every estimate of the cost to secure a storage tank as part of a home heating system conversion shall include the removal of all fill and vent pipes and such other related materials and/or equipment. 3. Upon entering into an agreement for the conversion of an existing home heating system from an oil home heating system to an alternative method of home heating, and prior to the commencement of the new home heating service, any home improvement contractor installing the alternate home heating system shall provide to the homeowner a written copy of the notice created by the department of state pursuant to subdivision five of this section, in no less than 14 point bold type and separate from any other document provided to such homeowner and provide as may be required by state or local law, written notice of the agreement for the conversion of an existing home heating system to the municipal code enforcement official having authority to enforce the New York state uniform fire prevention and building code, or local code applicable to cities with a population of one million or more, whichever code applies to the jurisdiction in which the home heating system is located. 4. (a) Prior to the commencement of the new home heating service, the property owner shall provide written notice to such property owner's heating oil supplier or suppliers to inform them of such conversion to an alternate fuel prior to the commencement of the new home heating service.(b) The department of state shall have the authority to promulgate any rules or regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this subdivision. 5. The department of state shall create and make available to the public on the department's website a notice informing homeowners who are converting their existing oil home heating system to an alternative method of home heating of the provisions of subdivision thirteen of section three hundred seventy-eight of the executive law, in addition to any other state laws, rules, or regulations related to the closure, abandonment, and/or removal of a heating oil storage tank, including fill and vent pipes and other related materials and equipment. Such notice shall include information to inform the homeowner that the homeowner shall provide written notice to his or her home heating oil supplier to inform such supplier of such conversion prior to the commencement of the new home heating service, and shall also advise the homeowner that there may be other local laws related to such conversion.
