A Roadmap for Energy Use and Carbon Emissions Reduction

In the first and second parts of this three-part series, we’ve discussed the reasons for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the importance of “benchmarking” and grading a property’s energy use, and why adherence to Local Law 97 is essential. Here we discuss the Energy-Reduction Roadmap—a set of short- and long-term modifications and projects property owners can implement to achieve lower carbon emissions by reducing their natural gas usage.

Local Law 97 Compliance:
Creating Your Energy-Reduction Roadmap

What are the many stops along the way on your journey to managing a greener property?

New York City’s Local Law 97 is here. This legislation requires owners and managers of multifamily residential properties (totaling more than 25,000 square feet) to reduce their properties’ energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. The Department of Building’s next citywide assessment is set for October.

If you’re feeling behind in your energy-reduction plan, take this advice from an expert in the field:

“The best time to put an energy-reduction roadmap into place is now,” says Karla Winter, project manager at Leidos, an energy-management consulting firm. Leidos is partnering with National Grid’s New York City natural-gas customers to achieve Local Law 97 compliance.

“Time and money are often obstacles, but some key incentives can ease compliance. And even if you don’t have money right now, you can allocate it in next year’s budget and plan accordingly,” adds Winter.

Attacking key sources of higher natural gas usage

National Grid offers several types of incentives to retrofit your property for greater energy efficiency, including:

• Direct-install programs—The utility facilitates the no-cost installation of high-efficiency shower heads and bathroom and/or kitchen faucets. Such quick fixes represent the low-hanging fruit of more efficient water- and energy-saving measures.
• Clear savings—Using this program, a six-family property in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood was able to reduce its natural-gas costs and water consumption by up to 30 percent, while preserving precious natural resources.

Direct-install equipment meets the high-efficiency water conservation standards created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program. The agency tests and verifies that each piece of water-saving equipment helps building owners save money without compromising performance.

Prescriptive incentive measures—National Grid is providing one-time financial incentives for boiler upgrades or replacements, along with other related expenditures completed by December 31, 2022. These include:

• Hydronic boilers ($2,500 to $3,000)
• Condensing boilers ($8,000 to $12,000)
• Wi-Fi thermostats ($75 each)
• Single or multistage boiler reset controls ($100 to $200 each)
• Steam traps ($100 each)
• Thermostatic radiator valves (TRGVs) ($50 each)
• Pipe insulation ($1.50/ft)

Happy returns—One National Grid customer, a Brooklyn low-rise multifamily dwelling, achieved a 16% annual energy cost savings by installing TRGVs, for which it received a $1,950 incentive. It also reduced boiler wear and tear, lowered boiler room humidity and provided greater temperature control—all boons to conservation.

In addition to these measures, building envelope improvements can receive an $11 per therm incentive, based on estimated first-year savings of up to 70 percent to a maximum of $200,000. Visit National Grid’s Multifamily energy-conservation site for more information and an application.

Custom incentive measures include one-time financial assistance for:

• Energy monitoring systems
• Heat recovery units
• Heating equipment sizes larger than the common incentive program
• Condensing water or other custom water-heating projects
• Other natural gas uses and applications

Getting the buy-in you need to succeed

These programs offer owners a financially attractive approach to Local Law 97 compliance—and the more efficiently they’re done, the better. However, anyone involved in the management of a New York City condo or co-op understands the critical importance of consensus when making such major operations decisions. For example, a managing agent may well understand the importance of making a major capital expenditure, while the co-op board may need much more information to make a responsible decision.

“We’re ready, willing and able to assist a property in preparing a presentation to additional stakeholders,” says Ron Gillooly, industrial energy program director at Leidos. “What’s more, we include a Leidos engineer and project manager as well as a National Grid representative to ensure proper informed follow-up.”

As you work toward your compliance plan, be sure to:

• Follow the rules—Adhere to the co-op or condo’s project-approval process, so you can be ready to make your case.
• Identify the key influencer(s) and decision-makers—the board members and/or residents who are most passionate about energy-use reduction, cost savings and sustainability.
• Arm yourself with statistics and success stories—Prove the return on investment for becoming energy efficient and compliant.

If you’re proposing an entirely new energy investment, make a clear case for it. For example, if a building can achieve greater greenhouse gas efficiency by footing the bill for each apartment’s HVAC unit(s), even though they’re currently the residents’ responsibility, you’ll need to show a feasible schedule for getting a return on investment.

“We’re not just throwing a ball over the fence, we’re providing references, resources, and can act upon our recommendations,” says Gillooly. His team sees this as just another example of its role as a proactive energy-management partner. “When you own a property, there are a lot of things you should do, but sometimes you need a little incentive to actually get them done.”

To get started with your Local Law 97 success story, visit National Grid’s multifamily sustainability site. Or the National Grid’s resource page to help navigate the Benchmarking Law. The “NYC Retrofit Accelerator” also provides expert guidance and contractor resources for compliance-related projects.