EN-POWER GROUP was featured in Habitat Magazine for its guidance on how New York City’s energy benchmarking requirements translate into public building energy grades and what co-op and condo boards can do to improve them.

Context: How Energy Grades Are Calculated

New York City’s energy benchmarking laws, Local Laws 84 and 133, require buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to annually report their energy and water usage using the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. One of the primary outputs of this reporting process is an ENERGY STAR score, which compares a building’s energy performance to similar buildings nationwide.

That score also serves as the basis for the city’s energy letter grades, which range from A to F depending on performance and compliance. These grades are intended to provide transparency and motivate building owners to reduce energy use.

EN-POWER GROUP’s Perspective

In the article, Thomas Morrisson, Director of Energy Management at EN-POWER GROUP, explained how ENERGY STAR scores are translated into letter grades and why they matter.

Higher-performing buildings receive A or B grades, while buildings with lower scores or failure to comply with benchmarking requirements receive C, D, or F grades. Because energy grades are publicly posted, they can influence a building’s marketability to potential buyers and renters.

Improving a Building’s Energy Grade

As outlined in the feature, improving a building’s energy grade comes down to reducing energy consumption. The typical first step is engaging an engineering consultant to conduct a comprehensive energy audit.

Energy audits are designed to:

  • Identify energy conservation measures, such as lighting, HVAC, and control upgrades

  • Flag operational deficiencies and low- or no-cost improvements

  • Support retro-commissioning, which ensures building systems operate as intended

  • Develop a capital plan that balances cost, savings, carbon reduction, and resident comfort

This structured approach allows boards to move beyond compliance and create a clear roadmap for long-term performance improvement.

Why This Matters for Co-op and Condo Boards

This feature highlights that energy grades are not simply a regulatory checkbox. They are a visible indicator of building performance that can affect operating costs, resident comfort, and property value.

Boards that understand how grades are calculated and take proactive steps to improve energy efficiency can strengthen their building’s financial and environmental position while avoiding compliance risks.

Media Attribution

This article was originally featured in Habitat Magazine in the March 2020 issue.
[Read the full article in Habitat Magazine →]

 

  • Share: