New York state helps multifamily buildings save energy and money

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is providing incentives and financing to help co-ops, apartment buildings and other multifamily dwellings save energy. With $150 million available, the New York Energy $martSM Multifamily Performance Program is designed to improve the energy efficiency, health and safety of existing and newly constructed residential buildings with five or more units. Gas customers in Con Edison Territory receive additional incentives for gas-saving measures. The Multifamily Performance Program is comprised of two components to serve multifamily owners and managers. The New Construction component targets to new buildings or gut rehabs with five or more units in buildings more than three stories. It is designed to improve the building energy performance by 20% or more over current ASHRAE standards (90.1-2004, Appendix G). By meeting energy performance guidelines, the building can earn financial incentives from NYSERDA and receive the Energy Star label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Existing Buildings component is also performance-based. Depending on how efficiently a building currently uses energy, a performance target will be established. Buildings will receive NYSERDA incentives to help them achieve that target. Once the target is reached, the building will receive the New York Energy $martSM label in recognition of successfully participating in the program. The Multifamily Performance Program, through both the New Construction and Existing Buildings components, addresses all combinations of market-rate and low to moderate-income projects. After participating in the program, the building is not necessarily considered a "Green Building," but the measures will help reduce energy use and power plant emissions, making your building more environmentally friendly.