Local Law 87 (LL87) is a New York City law that was enacted in 2009. It requires all buildings over 50,000 square feet to conduct an energy audit and retro-commissioning study once every 10 years. Retro-commissioning involves analyzing the building’s existing systems and adjusting optimize their performance and energy efficiency. The law is designed to improve the energy efficiency of large buildings in New York City and reduce the city’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.
LL87 has a significant impact on buildings in New York City. Buildings that do not comply with the law are subject to fines and penalties, so compliance is necessary to avoid financial consequences. Additionally, buildings that undergo retro-commissioning often see significant energy savings, which can result in lower utility bills for building owners and tenants. In some cases, retro-commissioning can also improve indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
The law has also had broader impacts on the real estate industry in New York City. Buildings that are more energy efficient can command higher rents and have higher property values. As a result, many building owners are investing in energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits to comply with LL87 and improve their buildings’ energy performance.
Overall, LL87 is an important piece of legislation that is helping to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in New York City. While compliance with the law can be costly and time-consuming, the benefits of increased energy efficiency are significant and long-lasting.
What is Local Law 87?
Local Law 87 (LL87) is a New York City law that was enacted in 2009 as part of the city’s efforts to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The law requires owners of buildings over 50,000 square feet to conduct an energy audit and retro-commissioning study once every 10 years.
An energy audit is a comprehensive assessment of a building’s energy use and performance, while retro-commissioning involves optimizing the performance of a building’s existing systems to increase their energy efficiency. The retro-commissioning process can involve adjustments to lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as the installation of energy-efficient equipment and technologies.
The purpose of LL87 is to improve the energy efficiency of large buildings in New York City, which are responsible for a significant portion of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. By requiring building owners to assess and improve their buildings’ energy performance, the law aims to reduce energy consumption and help the city meet its sustainability goals.
Building owners who do not comply with LL87 are subject to fines and penalties. However, compliance with the law can also have financial benefits for building owners, as energy-efficient buildings often have lower utility bills and can command higher rents and property values.
Compliance Requirements
To comply with Local Law 87 (LL87), building owners in New York City with buildings over 50,000 square feet must complete the following:
Energy Audit: The first step is to conduct an energy audit of the building. The audit must be performed by a qualified energy auditor, who will identify the building’s energy use patterns and recommend energy-saving measures. The audit must be completed by a qualified energy auditor within four years of the previous audit.
Retro-commissioning Study: After the energy audit is completed, a retro-commissioning study must be performed. The retro-commissioning study will assess the performance of the building’s existing systems, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and identify opportunities for improving energy efficiency. The study must be performed by a qualified retro-commissioning agent within four years of the previous study.
Report and Filing: Once the energy audit and retro-commissioning study are complete, a report must be submitted to the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). The report must include a summary of the findings, recommendations for energy-saving measures, and a plan for implementing those measures. The report must be filed with the DOB by December 31 of the year in which the audit and study are completed.
Compliance Cycle: The energy audit and retro-commissioning study must be completed every ten years, and the report must be filed with the DOB by the December 31 deadline.
Building owners who fail to comply with LL87 may be subject to fines and penalties, so it is important to meet all compliance requirements. Compliance with LL87 can also lead to energy savings, lower utility bills, and increased property values.
Benefits of Compliance
Compliance with Local Law 87 in New York City can provide a number of benefits for building owners, including:
- Energy Savings: The energy audit and retro-commissioning study required by LL87 can identify opportunities for energy savings in buildings, which can lead to lower utility bills and operational costs over time.
- Improved Indoor Comfort: Retro-commissioning can optimize heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve indoor air quality and occupant comfort in buildings.
- Increased Property Value: Energy-efficient buildings often have higher property values and can be more attractive to potential tenants and buyers.
- Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: By improving energy efficiency, LL87 compliance can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future for New York City.
- Avoidance of Penalties and Fines: Building owners who fail to comply with Local Law 87 may be subject to fines and penalties, so compliance can help to avoid these financial consequences.
Challenges and Limitations
While compliance with Local Law 87 (LL87) in New York City can provide many benefits, there are also several challenges and limitations that building owners may face, including:
Cost: Compliance with LL87 can be costly, particularly for older buildings that require significant energy upgrades. Some building owners may struggle to find the funds to cover the cost of the energy audit, retro-commissioning study, and necessary upgrades.
Time-Consuming: The compliance process for LL87 can be time-consuming, particularly for large buildings that require more extensive energy audits and retro-commissioning studies. Building owners may need to invest a significant amount of time and resources into compliance, which can impact their daily operations.
Limited Scope: The energy audit and retro-commissioning study required by LL87 only address the building’s existing systems and do not necessarily address all potential energy-saving measures, such as the installation of renewable energy systems. Some building owners may wish to pursue more extensive energy upgrades that go beyond the scope of LL87.
Variations in Building Types: Compliance with LL87 can be challenging for buildings with unique designs or functions, such as hospitals, laboratories, or industrial facilities. These buildings may require specialized expertise and customized solutions to improve energy efficiency.
Tenant Cooperation: Building owners may need to secure the cooperation of tenants to complete the energy audit and retro-commissioning study, particularly if the upgrades will impact tenant operations. This can be a challenge, particularly for buildings with multiple tenants or high tenant turnover rates.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Local Law 87 in New York City requires building owners with buildings over 50,000 square feet to conduct energy audits and retro-commissioning studies every ten years in order to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Compliance with LL87 can provide numerous benefits, including energy savings, improved indoor comfort, increased property value, and reduced environmental impact. However, building owners may also face challenges and limitations, such as cost, time, limited scope, variations in building types, and tenant cooperation. Despite these challenges, compliance with LL87 is an important step towards a more sustainable future for New York City and can help building owners save money and increase property value in the long run.
