Old Tools, New Tricks: Creative Solutions for Common Energy Problems

Many of us think we know the story when it comes to fixing and optimizing energy systems in NYC buildings. It’s easy to fall back on industry accepted measures and methods to energy efficiency. But do they actually work as well as we think? What new approaches are out there? This rapid fire presentation features innovative thinkers showcasing unorthodox ways to fix common issues in typical multifamily buildings. Each speaker will have 20 slides displayed for 20 seconds each... Ready, set, go!

We the People...In Multifamily Buildings!

Studies have shown that human behavior is just as important to a building's performance as energy efficient systems themselves. Engagement and training for residents and building operators is often overlooked, as the focus is usually on installing advanced new energy efficient equipment. This panel-style session will explore challenges and real life examples of how resident engagement, operator training and behavioral awareness have reduced energy usage in multifamily buildings and created healthier, happier living spaces.

The Property Manager's Perspective: Getting Value from Benchmarking and Audits

Large multifamily buildings in New York City are required to conduct benchmarking and ASHRAE II audits of their buildings by law. Learn from leading property managers how to use these mandates to net real returns for your building. Property managers will discuss the use of benchmarking in routine building operations. Case studies of retrofit projects that resulted from audit recommendations will also be explored.

Living on the Edge: Resiliency, Energy, and Affordability

With every passing year, temperatures and storms are becoming more extreme in our region. Protecting both tenants and building systems requires a new way of thinking about floodproofing, thermal comfort, and power loss. Speakers will review best practices and design solutions that have been implemented in affordable housing developments and retrofits to address a wide variety of environmental stressors. Speakers will also explore the public and private sources used to fund the projects.

BQDM: Retrofitting for Reliability

From Brownsville to Woodhaven, new policies and practices that are changing how we identify, finance, and implement energy conservation projects. This session will provide an overview of Con Edison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management (BQDM) program then dive into the innovative strategies that are improving grid reliability and savings dollars. From big to small, commercial to residential, we’re covering it all.

Active Design and Healthy Housing

Active Design is an evidence-based approach to the development of buildings and communities that uses architecture and urban planning to make physical activity and healthy foods more accessible. Affordable housing represents an ideal target for incorporating these strategies, since lower-income communities are disproportionately affected by obesity and chronic disease, and often have less access to health-supporting resources. This multi-disciplinary panel will share how Active Design supports healthier housing for people of all incomes and abilities.

Tuesday Workshop - Multifamily Diagnostics and Solutions (Introductory/Intermediate)

More than 25% of the residential units in the Northeast are in multifamily buildings (defined as 5+ units). Owners and managers of multifamily buildings, as well as small family auditors/contractors who want to begin to work in this industry, are not familiar with the details of making these buildings more sustainable (energy efficient, resilient, comfortable, but most importantly, cash flowing). Your job is to highlight increased cash flow and avoided costs in a condensed report format for owners to make a decision.

Tuesday Workshop - Drivers of Building Efficiency: Learning from the Data

Over years of collecting and analyzing building performance data, these experts have gained key insights into drivers of building energy and water usage. How big of a problem are split incentives? What engages owners and tenants in efficiency? Are there disparities between modeled and actual usage? How well do scoring systems reflect performance? How much can retrofits really save? The presenters will address these questions and more, and invite you to pose your own questions.

Applying Passive House Principles to 160 Units of Affordable Housing - Lessons Learned

Fairfax Gardens was a 150 unit dilapidated public housing development in Taunton, MA. The THA selected Trinity Financial to be the developer, owner and operator of a 160 unit replacement program on two sites. The Hope VI Program requires a very competitive funding application that includes strong sustainability incentives measured using Leed and/or Enterprise Green community checklist criteria. The Fairfax Gardens funding application was successful in part because it committed to very aggressive energy conservation measures.

Tiny Bubbles: The Deal With Spray Foam

“Is Foam Evil?”—that’s how this session was originally titled. Saner heads prevailed: foam is so highly insulating, so airtight, so slick on the jobsite, how could we ask such a question? Wait—it’s just those wonderful features that suck us in and make us love foam and forget about those toxic chemicals, occupational hazards, climate impacts, and faulty installations. Is that evil? Come discuss design choices, material options, and building science with our panel.
Subscribe to Multifamily