Green Partners
Con Ed has stepped up to the plate and is offering, for a limited time period, enhanced incentives (double or triple existing incentives) for buildings that qualify for their C&I program. Buildings in this incentive program include assisted living facilities, hotels, and hospitals, as well as commercial and industrial buildings.
These new Con Ed incentives are for a very limited time period only. Applications must be submitted to Con Ed between June 1st and September 30th. Project completion documents are due by October 31st. This is a tight window for these enhanced incentives. However, the increased incentive values (double or triple existing incentive amounts) offer an excellent opportunity to proceed with energy efficiency related projects at reduced costs. These Con Ed incentives also cover VFD installations and heating optimization.
The availability of these enhanced Con Ed incentives tie in well with the recently enacted Local Law 97 - Carbon Emissions Mandated Limits for all covered buildings. Local Law 97 penalties have real teeth in terms of penalty taxes that can easily reach five-figure levels or higher. These are not one-time penalties, as they continue annually during the period of non-compliance.
To avoid these Carbon Emissions penalties, buildings should proceed with Local Law 88 compliance (LED upgrades) as quickly as possible and then see where they stand in terms of Local Law 97 Carbon Emissions compliance mandates.
Most buildings can expect to be in compliance with the first round of carbon emissions requirements following the LED upgrade. After the LED upgrade, carbon emissions calculations should be made for both the current required mandates and the additional requirements ten years out.
These enhanced Con Ed incentives are also very timely for not-for-profit health centers, hospitals and HIP centers. These facilities are only required to reduce their energy consumption by 15% as compared to their actual energy consumption for the 2018 calendar year. This reduction can be readily achieved with a LED upgrade. By taking advantage of the Con Ed enhanced incentive program, the required upgrade can be achieved at reduced cost levels and a better return on investment. To qualify for this 15% energy reduction compliance opportunity, please note that there is a filing requirement due on or before July 21, 2021.
Local Law 97 also mandates the following measures for all covered buildings:
• Adjusting temperature set points for heat and hot water to reflect appropriate space occupancy and facility requirements.
• Repairing all heating system leaks.
Maintaining the heating system, including but not limited to ensuring that system component parts are clean and in good operating condition.
• Installing individual temperature controls or insulated radiator enclosures with temperature controls on all radiators.
• Insulating all pipes for heating and/or hot water.
• Insulating the steam system condensate tank or water tank.
• Installing indoor and outdoor heating system sensors and boiler controls to allow for proper set-points.
• Replacing or repairing all steam traps such that all are in working order.
• Installing or upgrading steam system master venting at the ends of mains, large horizontal pipes, and tops of risers, vertical pipes branching off a main.
• Upgrading lighting to comply with the standards for new systems set forth in section 805 of the New York city energy conservation code and/or applicable standards referenced in such energy code on or prior to December 31, 2024. This provision is subject to exception 1 in section 28-310.3, provided that July 1, 2010 is replaced by January 1, 2020 for the purposes of this section;
• Weatherizing and air sealing where appropriate, including windows and ductwork, with focus on whole-building insulation.
• Installing timers on exhaust fans.
• Installing radiant barriers behind all radiators.
George Crawford is the principal of Green Partners, New York, N.Y.