During this session you will learn about an important moderate-income multifamily building in New York City that went through a major transformation to electrify its heating and hot water, resulting in dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Project stakeholders will review the entire project design process, installation process, highlight lessons learned, and discuss the environmental, energy, and comfort impacts to the building and its occupants.

Central ventilation systems in multifamily buildings are a critical health and safety system, with significant energy and carbon ramifications.

Dual temperature buildings utilize a hydronic loop for both heating and cooling and typically rely on steam boilers or utility steam and steam-fed chillers. These buildings typically use at least 20% higher energy use indexes (EUIs) with 15% higher carbon emissions than similar buildings that lack central cooling. Dual temperature buildings will need a capital plan for complying with LL97, which requires 88% reduction of carbon emissions through 2050.

To accelerate deep energy efficiency retrofits, cities need better collaboration and international knowledge exchange. Strict building codes, energy labeling, and an innovative retrofit industry have made Denmark a world leader in energy efficiency. The historic CLCPA and LL97 climate laws put NYS and NYC at the forefront of the building retrofit industry. During this session, Danish and American specialists will exchange ideas on how to leverage building retrofits and public-private partnerships to support economic development and innovation.

Embodied Carbon (EC) emissions from the building sector produce 11% of annual global GHG emissions (second to transportation). Embodied carbon, unlike operational carbon, is out of sight, off site, and usually out of mind. As industry professionals, we have a responsibility to work towards a carbon-neutral built environment, and that work starts at design with a focus on the embodied carbon of a building and the materials that comprise it.

Recent legislation passed by the New York City Council (Local Law 97) is putting tremendously strict new requirements on commercial buildings (including non-rent controlled multifamily) to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) was adopted by the City simultaneously (Local Law 96) to act as a “carrot” for property owners to have a source of funds available to make the necessary capital improvements to meet these requirements. The City is expected to launch its C-PACE program in H2 2020.

New innovative heat pump products are entering the New York market in order to help electrify space heating and improve space cooling efficiency. These products are alternatives to traditional split system VRF heat pumps and mini-splits.