A 17-story building in Manhattan, constructed in 1931, is setting a precedent with its proactive approach to meeting the strict emissions standards set by New York City's Local Law 97. This legislation requires significant emission reductions from buildings larger than 25,000 square feet by 2030, imposing hefty fines for non-compliance.
In anticipation of these regulations, the building's management has opted to replace outdated heating and cooling systems with state-of-the-art heat pumps. This move avoids the simpler but less efficient approach of like-for-like system replacements, which would not meet long-term sustainability goals. The new system integrates both air and water source heat pumps and introduces a method to capture and reuse waste heat.
This strategic upgrade is expected to decrease the building's energy usage by 25% compared to traditional setups and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70% relative to 2019 levels by 2030. As the local energy grid becomes cleaner, these reductions could increase to 90% by 2035. Notably, this transformation will help the building avoid over $200,000 in annual emissions fines starting in 2030.
Moreover, the innovative thermal circulatory system installed as part of the retrofit is anticipated to enhance comfort for occupants, representing a significant improvement over the old system. The commitment to a more complex but far more efficient system exemplifies a strategic, long-term approach to building retrofitting that considers environmental impact, operational costs, and occupant comfort. This project serves as a leading example for urban sustainability, demonstrating the substantial benefits of embracing advanced energy solutions over conventional methods. This project also demonstrates the overlooked potential for sustainability in historic buildings, where innovative solutions are often prematurely deemed impractical.
Read CleanTechnica’s full article here
In a project closer to home, the Historic Berkeley Castle, managed by Linda Leistner, continues its journey by improving energy efficiency and sustainability efforts. Recently earning the 2024 ENERGY STAR Building Certification for another year. Her Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) has demonstrated and sustained the 30% economic opportunity which is typically available to others as well.
Discover more about Berkeley Castle's ongoing improvements in our case study below.
Read more: Case Study: Berkeley Castle's E-MAP Success!