A Practical Blueprint: Yorkville Co-op's Decarbonization Plan

Problem Solved! For Co-ops and Condos

A Yorkville co-op's successful HVAC upgrade demonstrates how boards can tackle Local Law 97 compliance while achieving significant cost savings. The $900,000 project, overseen by the EnPower Group, replaced an inefficient gas-powered absorption chiller with an electric heat pump system, eliminating $80,000 in annual carbon penalties and generating $80,000 in yearly energy savings, with a projected 5-year payback period. Habitat's Emily Myers interviews EnPower's Michael Scorrano, managing director, to understand this practical blueprint for other NYC buildings facing similar challenges.
Key Details:

· Location: 525 East 82nd Street, Yorkville

· Challenge: Outdated gas-powered absorption chiller system facing $80,000 annual penalties under LL97

· Solution: Conversion to electric modular heat pump system

· Project Cost: $900,000

· ROI: Approximately 5 years, based on:

o $80,000 annual energy cost savings

o Elimination of first-round carbon penalties

Technical Implementation:

· Doubled common area electrical capacity (400kW increase)

· Installed modular heat pump equipment for easier installation

· Added variable speed drives on pumps

· Required Department of Buildings approval for electrical modifications

Key Takeaways for Boards:

1. Start early - these projects take multiple seasons to complete

2. "In-kind" equipment replacement won't meet LL97 requirements

3. Consider future-proofing solutions (20-year outlook)

4. Evaluate electrification options, especially for centrally cooled buildings

5. Research available incentives and rebates

6. 2030 penalties are only six years away - planning should start now

Next Steps for Subject Building:

· Considering further electrification options for domestic hot water

· Evaluating partial electrification for winter heating to further reduce fossil fuel usage

Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!