Preparing for Local Law 97
Top 5 Tips on How to Get Your Building Ready for New Emissions Standards
New York City's Local Law 97 is set to go into effect in 2024 and is aimed at reducing carbon emissions from buildings over 25,000 square feet. To comply with the new emissions standards, building owners and operators need to start preparing now. Here are the top 5 tips on how to get your building ready for Local Law 97:
Review your building’s retrofit report, completed under Local Law 87.
The first step in preparing for Local Law 97 is to review your building’s retrofit report, completed under Local Law 87. This report provides a detailed assessment of your building's energy usage and identifies areas for improvement. By reviewing this report, you can determine which systems need to be upgraded or replaced to meet the new emissions standards.
List the age and condition of each system to come up with a 10-year capital plan and budget.
Once you have reviewed your building's retrofit report, it's time to create a 10-year capital plan and budget. This plan should include a list of all the systems in your building, their age and condition, and the estimated cost of upgrading or replacing them. By having a clear understanding of the costs involved, you can create a realistic budget with priorities and plan for the future.
Research renewable energy options that can be generated and stored on site.
To comply with Local Law 97, building owners and operators should research renewable energy options that can be generated and stored on site. One viable option for NYC buildings where wind turbines and geothermal systems are not physically possible, is solar panels. By generating your own energy, you can reduce your reliance on the grid and lower your carbon footprint.
Tighten the building’s envelope and incorporate that in the building’s next FISP cycle.
Another way to reduce your building's carbon footprint is to tighten the building's envelope. This means sealing any gaps or leaks in the building's exterior to prevent heat loss. Tightening the building's envelope can significantly reduce energy usage and lower your carbon emissions. Be sure to incorporate this in the building's next FISP cycle, which is required by the city in five-year cycles to maintain the integrity of the building's façade.
Involve the residents as they account for 70% of the building’s energy use.
Finally, building owners and operators should involve the residents in their efforts to reduce emissions. Residents account for 70% of a building's energy usage, so it's important to educate them on the importance of energy conservation and encourage them to adopt sustainable habits. This could include turning off lights and appliances when not in use, using energy-efficient products, and adjusting the thermostat when leaving the building.
By following these top 5 tips, building owners and operators can prepare for Local Law 97 and reduce their building's carbon footprint. Compliance with the new emissions standards may require a significant investment in retrofitting costs, but the alternative of doing nothing is even more expensive.
The Folson Group is a residential building efficiency consultancy that helps boards make their buildings safer, more sustainable, and more affordable. Get The Folson Group’s Energy Efficiency Policy©. It’s the only policy available on the NYC market to address the energy used inside the apartments. Schedule a strategy session with us to talk about how it would work for your building and strategically minimize those fines at the lowest possible cost to your co-op or condo.