How Building Retrofits Can Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in NYC

With increased apprehensions of climatic disasters, New York City’s Local Law 97 is also America’s effort to battle climate change and environmental degradation. Over time, the law is set to become stricter, making compliance with the LL97 immensely important. Building owners failing to meet the requirements will suffer harsh repercussions. The rules of Local Law 97 envisions to portray New York City as an example for cities all around the globe. Achieving long-term goals will not only be healthy for the environment but also promise a sustainable economy with reduced energy prices. 

In this blog, we will discuss the law and how building retrofits can reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions from NYC buildings. 

What is Local Law 97?

In New York City, most of the greenhouse gas emissions emerge from large buildings, unlike elsewhere in the United States, where mostly transportation is the prime contributor. Local Law 97, a part of the Climate Mobilization Act, 2019 is a groundbreaking legislation that is a welcome step towards protecting the environment by curbing the emission of greenhouse gasses from buildings in NYC. 

The law took effect on Jan 1, 2024, and has set an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% by 2030 while reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. 

Building Retrofits To Reduce Emissions 

Owners of large establishments comply with Local Law 97 through retrofits that lower carbon emissions, benefiting the environment. In this context, retrofitting refers to various ways of updating older technologies into energy-efficient ones that reduce environmental degradation and pollution. We have listed a series of techniques that have been foolproof for buildings to comply with Local Law 97 rules. They are as follows:

Improvements In The Electrical System 

Upgrading outdated electrical wiring and lighting with substitutes such as LEDs can lead to energy efficiency. Moreover, a greater practice of keeping away from artificial light during daytime and the use of sensor-based lighting and other smart solutions can significantly reduce energy consumption. This will, in turn, make a positive impact on the environment. 

The Gradual Shift Towards Renewable Sources

Investing in renewable energy sources such as solar panels in buildings can have a positive outcome pertaining to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a long-term solution towards Local Law 97 compliance.

Switching To Contemporary HVAC Systems

Replacing those ancient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems with state-of-the-art, smart components and technology can greatly minimise emissions. This is because older air conditioners release refrigerants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that cause damage to the ozone layer and contribute to climate change.  

Water Saving Systems 

Another crucial retrofitting area is the plumbing of large establishments in New York City. Practicing water recycling, rainwater harvesting, and judicious use of water can have significant benefits in preventing climate change. Switching to sensor-based taps and low-flow toilets can be a simple step towards saving nature from further damage, along with Local Law 97 compliance. 

Upgrading Insulation And Envelope 

A building’s envelope can be strengthened by providing insulation, better windows and jamming air leaks to reduce heat transfer. This would ultimately reduce energy loss and contribute to the optimal utilization of energy. 

Who has to comply with LL97? 

This law is focused on reducing emissions through a cap and trade system. It sets a limit to the discharge of gasses from huge buildings based on several factors, such as the type of property and its use. The owners of such establishments are obliged to report their emissions annually, failing which can result in hefty fines. Furthermore, failing to keep emissions within the prescribed limit will also attract considerable penalties. LL97 covers:

• Buildings that are larger than 25000 square feet. 
• Buildings on the same tax lot that surpass 50000 square feet in total. 
• Establishments that exceed 50000 square feet combined and are owned by a condominium association governed by the same managers. 

Issues with LL97 Compliance 

Local Law 97 is NYC’s response towards commitment to the ideals of the Paris Agreement. With a proactive approach to play an important role in curbing climate change and global warming, LL97 often gets quite difficult for building owners to comply with. 

The greatest obstacle is the financial aspect. Retrofitting is an expensive affair and requires considerable capital to begin with. Moreover, owners of older buildings need to undertake a complete transformation of their establishments to replace inefficient technologies with modern and smarter ones. This can prove to cause a hole in their pockets with no return on investment instantly. 

Funds For Building Retrofits

A thorough cost-benefit analysis can come in handy. Furthermore, building owners can seek financial and technical assistance from various state programs to comply with the rules of LL 97. Benefits like low-interest loans help them fund the retrofitting endeavor.

The owners need to understand that although retrofitting demands significant initial investments, the energy savings after switching to advanced infrastructure will considerably reduce operational costs, reaping benefits in the long run. 

In other words, lower electricity bills mean greater savings for both establishment owners and tenants. Therefore, retrofitting serves as a two-in-one solution. It ensures increased savings in the long run and is an effective way towards Local Law 97 compliance. Meanwhile, it also fulfills the goal of a lesser carbon footprint to help protect the environment and save humankind from global warming. 

In Conclusion 

While Local Law 97 will be stringent over the years to ensure that carbon neutrality is reached by 2050, it also provides several advantages. It has provisions to assist establishment owners in building retrofits. Apart from reducing emissions, this will also ensure a higher value for properties along with greater tenant satisfaction. The law has plans to create employment in the renewable energy sector in the years to come, transforming NYC into a green economy. 

Finally, it is one of the most remarkable steps towards ensuring a cleaner and greener environment by reducing carbon emissions and making society more sustainable in the long run.