Making the Case for Energy Upgrades

Building Highlights

The Fairstead

Building type: Affordable multifamily housing

Building size: 25,840 sq. ft.

Location: Bronx

Year built: 1912

Estimated LL97 penalties avoided: $38,604/year from 2024-2029, $50,368/year from 2030-2034

The Fairstead, a 62-unit affordable multifamily property in the Bronx, was built in 1912 and is part of a larger portfolio acquired in 2021. The building underwent significant energy efficiency upgrades to comply with Local Law 97 through Article 321’s Prescriptive Pathway. The building saved over $100,000 in project costs through NYSERDA’s AMEEP program. Improvements included steam pipe insulation, LED lighting, and cool roof installation. The Fairstead’s commitment to sustainable, high-quality, affordable housing drove these enhancements, which improved resident comfort and reduced energy costs.

420 East 51^st Street

Building type: Market-rate multifamily

Building size: 155,000 sq. ft.

Location: Manhattan

Year built: 1962

LL97 status: Projected compliance through 2050

420 East 51st Street reached out to NYC Accelerator for help with reducing building emissions and complying with New York City's Local Law 97 (LL97). With support from NYC Accelerator and Ventrop Engineering, this 110-unit co-op in Midtown Manhattan replaced its steam heating, cooling, and hot water systems with rooftop heat pumps and basement heat exchangers. This new system reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions while enhancing resident comfort and lowering operating costs.

Ventrop Engineering’s collaboration was crucial as the co-op identified project options and devised the plan for heat pump installation. However, funding the upgrades was a significant challenge. NYC Accelerator stepped in to address this issue, helping the co-op secure over $1 million in incentives from Con Edison and NYSERDA, covering more than a third of the project costs. As a result, 420 East 51st Street is among the first multifamily retrofits in Manhattan with fully electric heating, cooling, and hot water. It expects to meet all LL97 emission limits through 2050.

150 Broadway

Building type: Commercial

Building size: 279,669 sq. ft.

Location: Manhattan

Year built: 1924

LL97 status: Projected compliance through 2034

Built in 1924 and acquired by JEMB Realty in 1983, the Westinghouse Building underwent significant upgrades to meet Local Law 97 emission targets for compliance periods starting in 2024 and 2030. Modernization efforts included upgrading the electrical distribution system and lighting infrastructure with support from Big Shine Energy. JEMB is also exploring integrating heat pump technology and conducting audits to identify further efficiency improvements. These enhancements have improved energy efficiency, reduced operating expenses, provided substantial savings to occupants, and ensured compliance with LL97.

883 E 165th Street

Building type: Affordable multi-family co-op

Building size: 29,664 sq. ft.

Location: Bronx

Year built: 1907

LL97 status: Projected compliance through 2029

The Bronx’s 883 East 165th Street is an affordable housing multifamily co-op that was built in 1907. Facing penalties associated with LL97 in 2024, the property contacted NYC Accelerator and received technical and financial guidance, plus access to incentives through the New York Energy Research and Development Authority Clean Heat Program. The co-op also received financing from Con Edison to replace its outdated oil-fired water heater and poorly insulated windows.

To comply with LL97 and lower its operating costs, the building plans to begin to transition from No. 2 oil to an all-electric heating system, replace an outdated boiler, and install rooftop solar starting in the summer of 2025.

88 Pine Street

Building type: Commercial/industrial

Building size: 664,990 sq. ft.

Location: Manhattan

Year Built: 1973

Estimated LL97 penalties avoided: $0 in 2024, $230,893 in 2030

Established in 1973, 88 Pine Street is a beacon of efficiency that actively works to reduce its energy costs and carbon footprint. With help from NYC Accelerator, the building has transitioned to LED lighting with motion sensors, replaced DC elevator motors to AC motors, and installed two 800-ton steam absorbers and VFDs for optimal system management.

Aiming for continued LL97 compliance in 2030, the property plans to enhance thermal regulation by retrofitting window films on all glass areas.

205 Hicks Street

Building type: Pre-war, multifamily building

Building size: 30,019 sq. ft.

Location: Brooklyn

Year Built: 1919

Estimated LL97 penalties avoided: $0 in 2024, $13,400 in 2030

A pre-war, multifamily building in Brooklyn Heights needed a solution for its 50-year-old oil-burning boiler.

The building connected with an NYC Accelerator service provider, VRF Solutions, who replaced the oil-burning boiler with a new heat pump for heat and heat pump water heater for hot water. NYC Accelerator also helped the co-op board with financial assistance. After receiving generous incentives of $215,694 from the Con Edison Clean Heat program, the property made upgrades and is avoiding LL97 penalties through 2030.

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