CEC - Weatherization 101

“As a not-for-profit firm, our mission is to mitigate global warming by creating a healthier, affordable and more sustainable built environment. Community Environmental Center (CEC) is a leader in the burgeoning energy-efficiency field. Located in Queens, New York, but serving the entire New York Metropolitan Area, since 1994 CEC has been a major provider of construction and technical services for green buildings, and a proponent of green living and working conditions, especially for the neediest among us. Indeed, CEC believes that the climate crisis is the determining circumstance of our time and that addressing the environmental impact of energy use is fundamental to our overall goal: establishing the environmental health of New York City. With dedication to the betterment of people’s lives, the skill acquired from nearly twenty years of practical experience making buildings energy efficient, and commitment to environmentally sound public policy, CEC strives daily to achieve that goal”.

Single Family Homes (1-4 units) Energy Efficiency & Green Building Solutions Since 1994 Olga Souto, Director of Low Income Program Services Phone: (718) 784-1444 x118 Fax: (718) 784-8347 [email protected] Dina Moussa, Outreach Coordinator Phone: (718) 784-1444 x175 Fax: (718) 784-8347 [email protected]

43-10 11thh Street, Long Island City, New York 11101

Services Provided for Single Family Homes: Residential Homes & 1-4 Unit Buildings:

Weatherization Assistance Program

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is an energy efficiency and conservation program for both single family and multifamily homes administered by The New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). Funding for WAP is provided By the U.S Department of Energy and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). WAP services include:

• Heating system replacement of upgrade • Window repair of replacement • Installation of carbon monoxide detectors • Installation of energy-saving light bulbs (compact florescent light-bulbs) • Hot water tanks and radiator replacement • Weather stripping and caulking to seal cold-air leaks around doors and

windows • Roof insulation by using cellulose instead of fiberglass • Other energy conservation measures

Eligibility: 50% of tenants must meet income guidelines of 60% or less of State Median Income (see Income Eligible Guidelines chart below) and the building must be based in CEC’s service area (Brooklyn or Queens).

Funding: Depending on the scope of work, up to $2,000 per household. If the owner of the building is not income-eligible, they will be required to contribute 25-50% of retrofit upgrade costs.

Efficiency Measures: Any measure that is deemed to be cost-effective (Savings to Investment Ratio > 1) is eligible for installation through this program. This will primarily consist of insulation work and air sealing.

Department of Energy Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program:

Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program (WIPP) is an energy efficiency and conservation program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) recently launched the Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program (WIPP) to accelerate innovations in whole-house weatherization and advance DOE’s goal of increasing energy efficiency and health and safety in both single and multi-family buildings of low-income families. WIPP services include:

• Health & safety inspections • Heating replacement or upgrade • Installation of energy-saving light bulbs (compact florescent light-bulbs) • Hot water tanks and radiator replacement • Weather stripping and caulking to seal cold-air leaks around doors and

windows • Roof insulation by using cellulose instead of fiberglass • Other energy conservation measures

WIPP and WAP services are very similar. However, they differ because WIPP is 66% needed for income eligibility and WIPP has no boundaries throughout the city like WAP.

Eligibility: 66% of the units in the building are income eligible (see Income Eligible Guidelines chart below).

Funding: Up to $1,000 per unit for gas buildings, to help pay for additional work, funds will be leveraged from EmPower. If the owner of the building is not income-eligible, they will be required to contribute 25-50% of retrofit upgrade costs.

Efficiency Measures: Any measure that is deemed to be cost-effective (Savings to Investment Ratio > 1) is eligible for installation through this program.

Income Eligible Guidelines for WIPP & WAP Program

Household Size (2012- 2013) Monthly (2012-2013) Annual

1 $2,138 $25,656 2 $2,796 $33,552 3 $3,453 $41,436 4 $4,111 $49,332 5 $4,769 $57,228 6 $5,427 $65,124 7 $5,550 $66,600 8 $5,673 $68,076 9 $5,797 $69,564 10 $5,920 $71,040 11 $6,346 $76,152 11+ +495 for each additional

household member.

NYSERDA Home Performance:

Home Performance with Energy Star is available for 1-4 family homeowners, who can receive a free or reduced cost comprehensive home energy assessment. (This depends on household income guidelines provided through NYSERDA.) CEC is Building Performance Institute (BP1) certified, which is special training and proven expertise in energy efficiency, and are well-qualified to help you save energy at home. The comprehensive home energy assessment is a top-to-bottom analysis of your home’s energy use. Energy assessments are performed by participating Home Performance contractors, such as CEC. Efficiency Measures: Cellulose insulation, Furnaces, Boilers, Heat pumps, Central Air conditioners, Heat recovery, Programmable Thermostats, Duct/Air sealing, Windows, Doors, and Health & Safety Inspections (based on the program)

NYSERDA Assisted Home Performance:

Depending on your household income you can qualify for a grant up to $5,000 to cover up to 50% of the cost of energy efficiency upgrades. For example, a family of 4 with a household income of $65,000 will qualify. 2-4 unit residential buildings with additional income-eligible households can qualify for a grant of up to $10,000.

Eligibility: Single family homes(1-4 units) eligibility is based on your household income and household size, Whether you own or rent, if your household earns less than 80% of the median household income for you area.

Green Jobs Green New York Financing: Low-interest financing available

Financial option 1: An On-Bill Recovery Loan provides homeowners the convenience of paying for energy efficiency improvements on their utility bill. The current interest rate is 3.49% and a secure loan. Interest rates are subject to change.

Financial option 2: Energy Smart Loans offer affordable interest rates, flexible terms and simple repayment. Paying for a Smart Energy Loan is similar to any other conventional loan or unsecure loan. You make monthly payments to NYSERDA’s loan servicer by check or automatic bank withdrawals. The current interest rate is 3.49% if you pay via automatic bank withdrawals. Interest rates are subject to change.

10% Cash Back Incentive: When you complete energy efficiency upgrades through the home Performance with Energy Star program, you will be eligible to receive 10% of the cost of eligible upgrades back (up to a maximum of $3,000) after the work is completed. CEC can help you verify that your upgrades qualify for this incentive.

“As a not-for-profit firm, our mission is to mitigate global warming by creating a healthier, affordable and more sustainable built environment. Community Environmental Center (CEC) is a leader in the burgeoning energy-efficiency field. Located in Queens, New York, but serving the entire New York Metropolitan Area, since 1994 CEC has been a major provider of construction and technical services for green buildings, and a proponent of green living and working conditions, especially for the neediest among us. Indeed, CEC believes that the climate crisis is the determining circumstance of our time and that addressing the environmental impact of energy use is fundamental to our overall goal: establishing the environmental health of New York City. With dedication to the betterment of people’s lives, the skill acquired from nearly twenty years of practical experience making buildings energy efficient, and commitment to environmentally sound public policy, CEC strives daily to achieve that goal”.

Multi-Family Buildings (5 units and up)

Energy Efficiency & Green Building Solutions Since 1994 Olga Souto, Director of Low Income Program Services Phone: (718) 784-1444 x118 Fax: (718) 784-8347 [email protected] Dina Moussa, Outreach Coordinator Phone: (718) 784-1444 x175 Fax: (718) 784-8347 [email protected]

43-10 11thh Street, Long Island City, New York 11101

Services Provided for Multi-Family: Multi Performance Program (MPP) The Multifamily Performance Program (MPP) is available for multifamily buildings with five or more units and four or more floors. Both market-rate and affordable-rent buildings are eligible. The program provides property owners, builders, co-op and condo governing boards the expertise, technology and incentives to permanently improve their building’s energy performance through proven technologies. Incentives come in the form of per unit payments. Existing buildings that project at least 15% energy reduction in the Energy Reduction Plan (ERP) may also be eligible for an additional Performance payment.

Eligibility:

• Buildings must contain five or more units with at least four floors.

• At least 50 percent of the building’s gross heated footage must be

residential space; the remaining space can be nonresidential-related

commercial space.

• You must receive your electricity through one of the following utilities:

Central Hudson Gas & Electric., Consolidated Edison Company of NY

(ConEd), New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), National Grid, Orange

and Rockland Utilities and Rochester Gas and Electric.

• NYSERDA incentives cannot be combined with incentives or rebates from

utility company programs.

• Buildings that have received incentives or rebates from other programs

are not eligible for NYSERDA support for 12 months after receipt of

payment.

Benefits:

• Save on annual energy costs—potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars • Protect yourself against future volatility of energy costs • Provide tenants with a comfortable and affordable living environment

Incentives:

Project Type Firm Gas (per unit) Non-Firm Gas (per unit)

Affordable $1,000 $800

Market Rate $700 $500

A project's incentive may be reduced based on the cost and/or cost-

effectiveness of the recommended upgrades.

Existing buildings that project at least 15% energy reduction in the Energy

Reduction Plan may also be eligible for an additional Performance Payment in

accordance with the table below.

Tier Performance Payment (per unit)

Tier #1 - 20%-22% $150

Tier #2 - 23%-25% $200

Tier #3 - 26%-28% $250

Tier #4 - 29%+ $300

Existing Buildings - Incentive Payment Schedule

The following incentive payment schedule detail the specific payment of a

project's base incentive.

Stage 1 - Upon approval of the project's Energy Reduction Plan

Project Size Affordable Firm Gas (per unit)

Affordable Non-Firm Gas (per unit)

Market Rate Firm Gas (per unit)

Market Rate Non-Firm Gas (per unit)

Fast Track 5-49 units

N/A N/A N/A N/A

Standard Path 5-49 units

$100 $80 $70 $50

Standard Path 50 units & up

N/A N/A N/A N/A

Stage 2 - Upon inspection of at least 50% of the installed upgrades






N/A N/A N/A N/A


$400 $320 $280 $200


$500 $400 $350 $250

Stage 3 - Upon inspection of 100% of the installed upgrades






$1000 $800 $700 $500


$500 $400 $350 $250


$500 $400 $350 $250

Financing at about half the market rate:

Financing for multifamily energy upgrades is more affordable through Green

Jobs – Green NY, which advances 50 percent of the principal borrowed directly

to your lender at an interest rate of 0%, effectively reducing the cost of your loan

(up to $1 million) to about half the market rate. Green Jobs – Green NY can

contribute up to $5,000 per unit or up to $500,000 per project.

Finding the Best Deal:

Some utility companies offer programs specifically for multifamily buildings; some

do not. We recommend that you carefully compare the benefits of working with

a utility company program and the NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program.

You must choose one or the other. NYSERDA takes a whole-building approach

and creates incentives based on energy savings; utility companies tend to offer

rebates on specific improvements or upgrades. Utility companies are generally

restricted to working with building of 75 units or less; there is no upper size limit for

working with NYSERDA.

Multifamily Performance Program - New Construction:

Eligibility: Any building being constructed that will have 5 or more units and be 3 or more stories tall. Buildings that will be publicly subsidized or where 25% of residents will receive public assistance or earn 80% of Median Area Income are eligible for additional incentives.

Funding: Initial payment of $15,000 (or $20,000 for low-income buildings) upon submission of Energy Reduction Plan. ‘Open Wall Payment’ (upon inspection of initial building framework) of $1.00/ Gross Heated Square Footage (GHSF). Additional ‘As-Built Payment’ of $0.50/GHSF once construction is completed to Energy Reduction Plan Specifications.

Efficiency Measures: A full range of energy efficiency measures will be considered – the purpose of this program is to achieve Energy Star designation in New Construction projects through a comprehensive ‘full building’ approach to energy efficiency and sustainability.

A NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program for New Construction, you can

save even before construction begins, by planning a variety of energy-saving

features, including:

• the appropriate amount of insulation

• high-efficiency heating and cooling systems

• energy-saving appliances and lighting

• high-performance windows and doors

A NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Partner will work with your design team to

incorporate potential energy efficiency options into the building’s initial design.

They’ll ensure that program requirements are fulfilled from the start. Working with

the Community Environmental Center as your partner will help you throughout

the whole process.

New Construction Benefits:

• Lower energy bills: A New York ENERGY STAR® Multifamily Building uses at

least 15 percent less energy than a building constructed to American

Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers

(ASHRAE) standard

• Better building performance: Buildings are "performance tested" to

confirm that they meet or exceed the New York ENERGY STAR®

Multifamily Building standard

• Improved operations; easier maintenance: Energy-efficient technologies

are generally designed for high performance and should result in all-

around efficiencies for facility managers

Eligibility:

• Buildings must be new or undergoing a gut rehab: A gut rehab is defined

as one of the following types of projects where a licensed professional

architect or engineer has prepared and certified the building plans:

• Change of use and reconstruction of an existing building or space within;

• Construction work of a nature requiring that the building or space within

be out of service for at least 30 consecutive days;

Reconstruction of a vacant structure or space within.

• Buildings must contain five or more units with at least four floors. (If your

multifamily new construction contains three floors or less, it may qualify

for assistance under the New York ENERGY STAR Homes program.

• At least 50 percent of the building’s gross heated footage must

intended for residential space; the remaining space can be

nonresidential-related commercial space.

• The intended use of the building must be for residential purposes.

Commercial facilities, such as motels/hotels, group homes, dormitories,

shelters, monasteries, nunneries, assisted living facilities and nursing

homes are typically not eligible for the Program. Single Room

Occupancy (SRO) facilities and senior living residences that do not

include nursing or hospitalization amenities are typically eligible for the

Program.

• You must receive your electricity through one of the following utilities:

Central Hudson Gas & Electric., Consolidated Edison Company of NY

(ConEd), New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), National Grid,

Orange and Rockland Utilities or Rochester Gas and Electric

• NYSERDA incentives cannot be combined with incentives or rebates

from utility company programs.

Incentives: Eligible buildings qualify for NYSERDA incentives based on meeting

energy-savings goals, the number of units or square footage, and whether the

building is market-rate or affordable housing (see the chart below).

Incentives can be used to offset the costs associated with implementing energy

efficiency measures, and verifying that the completed building meets NYSERDA

requirements.

NYSERDA offers two options for new construction: the Performance Path and the

Prescriptive Path. The Performance Path begins with customized energy

modeling to create a Proposed Energy Reduction Plan. The Energy Reduction

Plan is customized to your building, and can offer significant flexibility in the

manner in which your building meets its energy-savings goals. The Prescriptive

Path relies instead on a fixed set of energy-saving measures and requirements.

Your Partner can help you determine which path makes the most sense for your

building design.

New Construction - Maximum Incentives

Affordable Performance (per unit)

Affordable Prescriptive (per unit)

Market Rate Performance (per unit)

Market Rate Prescriptive (per unit)

$1,200 $900 $900 $675

A project's incentive may be reduced based on the cost and/or cost-

effectiveness of the recommended upgrades.

New Construction - Incentive Payment Schedule

Stage 1 - Upon approval of the project's model and projected savings

Project Affordable Affordable Market Market

Size Performance (per unit)

Prescriptive (per unit)

Performance (per unit)

Prescriptive (per unit)

5-49 units

$300 N/A $225 N/A

50 units & up

$200 N/A $150 N/A

Stage 2 - Upon approval of the open-wall inspection

Project Size



Market Performance (per unit)

Market Prescriptive (per unit)

5-49 units

$300 $450 $225 $300

50 units & up

$400 $450 $300 $300

Stage 3 - Upon approval of 100% inspection & receipt of DRAFs

Project Size



Market Performance (per unit)

Market Prescriptive (per unit)

5-49 units

$600 $450 $450 $375

50 units & up

$600 $450 $450 $375

NYSERDA Green Jobs Green New York Financing (GJGNY):

Eligibility: Any building that completes an ‘Energy Reduction Plan’ through MPP is eligible for GJGNY financing to support the costs of retrofit work.

Funding: NYSERDA will provide 50% of the requested loan amount (up to $500,000) at 0% interest. The building owner will be required to identify a private bank to provide that remaining 50% of the loan at a market interest rate.

Efficiency Measures: See MPP measures above

NYSHCR Weatherization Assistance Program:

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is an energy efficiency and conservation program for both single family and multifamily homes administered by The New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). Funding for WAP is provided By the U.S Department of Energy and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Eligibility: 50% of tenants must meet income guidelines of 60% or less of State Median Income (see table from Single Family Homes, listed Income Eligibility Guidelines) and the building must be based in CEC’s service area (Brooklyn or Queens).

Funding: The owner of the building will be asked to contribute 25-50% of retrofit upgrade costs. We require an up-front escrow deposit amounting to $200 per unit, a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). The good faith estimate will be capped at $5,000 for buildings who have larger numbers of units.

Efficiency Measures: Any measure that is deemed to be cost-effective (Savings to Investment Ratio > 1) is eligible for installation through this program. This will primarily consist of lighting retrofits, boiler work, insulation, appliance replacement, and air sealing.

Department of Energy Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program:

Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program (WIPP) is an energy efficiency and conservation program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) recently launched the Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program (WIPP) to accelerate innovations in whole-house weatherization and advance DOE’s goal of increasing energy efficiency and health and safety in both single and multi-family buildings of low-income families

Eligibility: 66% or more of a building’s tenants must meet income eligibility guidelines of 60% or less of State Median Income (see table below).

Funding: $800+ per unit in direct DOE funds. Additional programs (below) will be leveraged to support this program, resulting in 50-75% of total retrofit costs being covered.

Efficiency Measures: Any retrofit (or renewable energy generation) measure that is determined to have a ‘Savings to Investment Ratio’ greater than 1 is eligible for installation. Measures will also be considered for installation that have disproportionate effects on greenhouse gas mitigation through CEC’s ‘Societal Externality Assessment Model’.

Department of Housing and Urban Development Energy Innovation Fund Program:

Eligibility: 50% or more of a building’s units must have affordability agreements in place that restrict eligible occupants to 80% or less of Area Median Income (contact CEC for specific income levels depending on your area). These affordability agreements must extend 10 years beyond the completion of retrofit work. HUD building must consist of 20-40 units. Heating systems must run on non-interruptible natural gas or electricity.

Funding: Approximately $2,000 per unit directly in HUD funding – additional programs like Green Jobs Green New York will be leveraged to support the retrofit work. Owners will be required to provide a portion of retrofit costs. Must be willing to contribute 30% of cost-effective retrofit costs (low-cost financing available). Owners will be required to contribute $1,000 up-front escrow per building as a Good Faith Estimate (GFE).

Efficiency Measures: CEC has full discretion over use of HUD funds through this grant as long as 20% energy savings are achieved. CEC will also work with Solar One to provide tenant education and building operator training to buildings that participate in this program

NYSERDA EmPower New York:

Eligibility: Buildings with between 1 and 99 units are eligible for empower if tenants have at or below 60% Median State Income or Median Area Income, whichever is higher.

Funding: EmPower provides funding depending on the characteristics of the building and projected savings.

Efficiency Measures: Refrigerators, Lighting, Furnaces, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Heath and Safety Measures, Other Cost-Effective Improvements, and Tenant Education.

Local Laws Is your building over 50,000 square feet? Have you already complied with Local Law 84? If so, you’ll still need to comply with Local Law 87 in the next 10 years depending on your block number. Why not start reaping the financial benefits of energy efficiency and avoiding fines for noncompliance now? Local Law 84 - requires all commercial and residential buildings over 50,000 gross square feet to measure and report energy and water consumption (benchmark) every year, using the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager Tool. CEC can provide your board and your managing agent with complete annual benchmarking services including:

• Collecting and analyzing utility consumption data • Determining different space use types, a requirement of LL84 • Configuring and reporting energy use into the EPA’s Portfolio Manager

Tool • Submitting all of the required forms to comply with Local Law 84

Local Law 87 - requires an ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers) level II Energy Audit and a Retro-Commissioning study of base building systems in order to increase the energy efficiency of the largest NYC buildings. CEC can help. We will perform all of the stated requirements of Local Law 87 and file the Energy Efficiency Report on your behalf.

Energy Audit • Perform a detailed building survey by experienced and certified building

auditors, including diagnostic testing of building systems related to energy use

• Identify no-cost, low-cost and capital improvement measures designed to lower your building’s energy use and operational costs

• Perform sophisticated energy-modeling analysis of your building’s energy use, in order to identify the most cost effective energy reduction measures

• Compile a detailed report with the results of the analysis in an easy-to-understand format

Retro-Commissioning (This is done in conjunction with our partner, Taitem Engineering)

• Optimize your building’s energy performance through examination, evaluation, testing, and modification of sensors, controls, valves, and building operational policies and procedures

• Immediately reduce energy usage using no-cost or low-cost adjustments to building controls systems

• Implement training programs for building and facility management to ensure sustained energy savings for years to come

• Assist you in operating a more energy efficient, cost-effective and profitable building

#6 Oil Conversions Beginning in 2012, and no later than 2015, New York City buildings where boilers still use high-viscosity #6 oil must switch over to a cleaner fuel, according to a heating oil regulation that the city adopted in April 2011. Your building has several options:

• Switch to low-sulfur #4 oil until 2030, when your building’s boiler must be

able to meet the emissions standard of burning #2 oil or natural gas. • Switch to #2 oil now • Switch to natural gas now • Switch to dual fuel-#2 oil and gas

Community Environmental Center (CEC) can help you and your managing agent select the option that is best for your building and also help find financial incentives to assist with the conversion. For example, this conversion can be addressed with NYSERDA’s Multifamily Performance Program (MPP). By working with the MPP, the building owner has access to low interest financing, which is particularly important in such a cost-intensive process. With nearly 20 years of experience in the field, CEC can discuss the various conversion financing options available (NYCEEC, ConEd, etc.) with you. CEC can also design and write the specifications for new equipment, if necessary, and manage the construction process, so that the conversion will be as painless for the building’s residents as possible. You can find out if you live or work in a building that uses No. 6 or No. 4 oil and see which buildings have converted to cleaner fuels at www.nyccleanheat.org. This website is also a great resource with detailed information on the available incentives and financing options. General Energy Efficiency Measures:

Energy Audit The first step toward understanding if your building is operating at peak energy efficiency is to perform a whole-building Energy Audit. CEC performs a precise, instrumented, comprehensive Energy Audit, to evaluate the operational efficiency of your building’s envelope and systems. Our audits consist of:

• fuel- and electric-use analysis; • lighting system analysis; • the testing of all building systems, including heating, air conditioning and

building envelope.

CEC not only has extensive experience conducting ASHRAE Levels I, II and III audits, but also we can customize the audits to fit your needs. And CEC can perform audits that comply with any number of state and federal energy-conservation and efficiency programs, including the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and NYSERDA’s Multifamily Performance Program. When the audit is completed, we sit down with you to discuss potential cost-saving energy and operational improvements. After the audit, we will deliver a comprehensive energy reduction plan, which details the findings of the audit as well as payback calculations and other critical financial information. We can share with the owner what a sample energy reduction plan looks like. Energy Efficient Lighting

Lighting retrofits for buildings are one of the most cost-effective sustainable

measures in the energy-efficiency industry and will allow you to quickly reap the

benefits of your investment.

How can CEC help? • CEC performs an on-site lighting-system audit, to assist in identifying

options that can provide significant energy savings to your building’s electrical consumption.

• Then we remove unnecessary lighting fixtures and, using state-of-the-art lighting-control technologies — occupancy sensors, photocell controls, bi-level lighting, and more — we give your building better lighting.

Cellulose Insulation

CEC uses cellulose to insulate walls, attics and enclosed crawl spaces in smaller homes. In multifamily buildings, CEC recommends using cellulose to insulate underneath your roof. Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper; indeed, it has the highest recycled content (85%) of any applied insulation. Treated with nontoxic Borate – an acid found in nature that is the basis for the familiar home antiseptic boric acid – cellulose is fire-retardant and both pest- and mold-resistant. And cellulose performs better in cold weather than highly toxic Fiberglass. Cellulose blocks air infiltration, keeping the cold air outside and the warmth of your home inside, and saving you money on heating bills.

Solar Thermal Solar collectors – either evacuated tubes or large, flat panels – are typically installed on a roof and use sunlight to heat Propylene Glycol fluid (antifreeze), which travels through pipes from the collectors to an external heat exchanger and ultimately heats water in hot-water storage tanks. The tanks are usually installed in a building’s basement but, in a new building, are capable of being installed on the roof itself. Community Environmental Center is a NYSERDA Solar Thermal Eligible Installer, and our SHW installers are certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Community Environmental Center is committed to providing the highest level of system performance, and we partner with the most experienced and also the most innovative SHW system designers in the New York Metropolitan Area.

CEC’s team works closely with developers and architects to ensure that a new or existing building receives the state-of-the-art SHW system appropriate for that building’s needs and the desired ROI. CEC’s SHW system team provides:

• A site evaluation • Engineering • Processing of permits • System installation • Financial analysis and information about incentives and rebates and

processing • Post-installation monitoring and support

Water Conservation Water-saving measures can reduce your in-home water use by as much as 35%. CEC will insulate your water pipes, so that you can avoid running the water while you wait for it to heat up. CEC will install low-flush toilets, which use 1 to 2 gallons per flush instead of the usual 3 to 5 gallons; water-saving shower heads; and low-flow aerators on all your faucets. CEC will also check for water leaks, both inside and outside your house. Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling At least half of the energy you use in your home goes toward heating and cooling it. Bringing efficiency to heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems will not only increase your comfort but will also significantly lower your utility bills. If an Energy Audit reveals that your heating and cooling equipment is not performing efficiently, we can install ENERGY STAR equipment, which will cut your energy bill by at least $200 a year. The ducts that carry air from a boiler, central air-conditioning system or heat pump can waste energy if they leak. And since those ducts often run through the most vulnerable places in your house – the attic, a crawlspace, an unheated basement or garage, it’s essential to seal those ducts and insulate them. CEC can accomplish all this and more. Based on the results of CEC’s Energy Audit, a knowledgeable CEC representative will sit down with you and discuss improvements to your heating and cooling systems, as well as financing and incentive options that may be available. Energy Efficient Appliances Energy Star® appliances use less energy, save you money and help protect the environment.

If your energy audit reveals that your current dish washer, range, refrigerator, washing machine, or dryer is performing inefficiently, we will recommend that you replace these appliances with Energy Star® models, and we will discuss a variety of available financing and incentive options with you

Cool Roofs Program:

NYC °CoolRoofs is a sustainability initiative sponsored and managed by the city, and is a supporting piece of PlaNYC 2030. The program is committed to

reducing cooling costs and green house gas emissions, improving air quality, reducing the frequency of brownouts and reducing the heat island effect by coating the city’s roofs white.

The coating will help to lower the temperature of the upper floors of your building, reduce the need for cooling and thus extend the life of your HVAC system. The special white coating is highly reflective and elastomeric, and helps to equalize the temperature of your building, so the roof material is expanding and contracting less than it would with a standard black roof, thus extending the life of the roof itself. We specifically seek out affordable and section 8 buildings, as these buildings are eligible for corporate sponsorship. The cost of labor is always covered by the program. Corporate sponsorship goes towards the cost of the coating material, and sponsorship can cover the full cost of the material. The amount of sponsorship is determined on a case by case basis.

In order to determine sponsorship and roof eligibility, a roof must first be pre-qualified and then inspected. We need to confirm that the roof is not gravel, pavers, EPDM rubber, or in need of repairs or replacement. Also, the parapet needs to be at least 3’ high, and access to the roof needs to be via stairs or elevator, and not straight ladder and hatch access.

Documents

CEC - Weatherization 101