Ensuring a building complies with Local Law 97 in New York City often requires extensive retrofitting and renovations. The process can be intricate and time-consuming, heavily influenced by the building’s age and condition. Here’s a general timeline and an overview of the steps involved in planning, preparing drawings, and implementing those plans to make a typical building in NYC compliant.
Minimal Steps for Compliance
For buildings needing minimal steps to comply with Local Law 97, consider the following measures:
- Lighting Systems
-
- Retrofit Light Fixtures: Replace existing light fixtures with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
- Install Occupancy Sensors: Use sensors to control lighting based on room occupancy automatically.
- HVAC Systems
-
- Add Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs): Enhance existing HVAC motors with VFDs for better energy control.
- Implement Programmable Thermostats: Optimize heating and cooling schedules with programmable thermostats.
- Insulation and Sealing
-
- Enhance Insulation: Improve insulation in walls, roofs, and windows with minimal disruption.
- Seal Gaps and Cracks: Reduce energy leakage by sealing gaps and cracks in the building envelope.
- Windows and Glazing
-
- Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Coatings: Apply Low-E coatings to existing windows for better insulation.
- Install Window Films or Shades: Control solar heat gain with window films or shades.
- Power Distribution
-
- Upgrade Transformers: Install energy-efficient transformers in the electrical distribution system.
- Power Factor Correction: Improve electrical efficiency with power factor correction measures.
- Renewable Energy Integration
-
- Install Solar Panels: Consider solar panels on the building’s roof or facade.
- Explore Small-Scale Wind Turbines: Implement where applicable and feasible.
- Smart Metering and Controls
-
- Integrate Smart Meters: Use smart meters for monitoring real-time energy consumption.
- Implement Smart Building Controls: Manage electrical systems with smart controls for better efficiency.
- Energy Management Systems
-
- Install Energy Management Software: Analyze and optimize energy usage with specialized software.
- Implement Demand Response Strategies: Reduce peak-time electricity consumption with demand response strategies.
- Water Heating Efficiency
-
- Upgrade Water Heaters: Use high-efficiency models for water heating.
- Insulate Hot Water Pipes: Minimize heat loss by insulating hot water pipes.
- Plug Load Management
-
- Implement Smart Power Strips: Control and reduce plug loads with smart power strips.
- Educate Occupants: Promote energy-efficient practices among building occupants.
- Cool Roofs
-
- Apply Cool Roof Coatings: Reduce solar heat absorption with cool roof coatings.
- Use Reflective Roofing Materials: Improve thermal performance with reflective materials.
- Landscaping and Shade (if applicable)
-
- Plant Shade Trees: Reduce solar heat gain with strategically planted shade trees.
- Consider Green Roofs: Enhance insulation and energy efficiency with green roofs.
- Maintenance and Operations Training
-
- Train Building Staff: Ensure staff are trained on energy-efficient operation and maintenance practices.
- Establish Maintenance Schedules: Regularly maintain all retrofitted systems to ensure ongoing efficiency.
- Documentation and Reporting
-
- Maintain Detailed Documentation: Keep comprehensive records of all retrofit measures.
- Prepare Compliance Reports: Document and report compliance with Local Law 97 requirements.
By following these steps and implementing these measures, building owners can ensure they meet the requirements of Local Law 97, improve their energy performance, and contribute to New York City’s ambitious climate goals.