Energy Efficiency Programs and Tips for your HDFC

In January 2010, UHAB received funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to become a temporary subgrantee for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP.)  We received $3.5 million to provide weatherization services to 491 units in the HDFC community.  The Weatherization Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) and New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR), provides energy conservation work to your building that can help keep maintenance fees down and reduce individual household energy costs.

Boiler Burner Course: The Basics of Steam and Hydronic Heating

This course, co-sponsored by AEA and ANHD, is aimed at property managers, maintenance staff and residents looking to understand the operation, maintenance and opportunities for efficiency improvements in steam and hydronic heating systems. These 6 half-day course sessions will provide an introduction to heating plant analysis, with hands on opportunities in AEA's state-of-the-art heating lab. More information about the class and registration information can be found here. 

Con Edison Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Program 

Con Edison's Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Program (MFEE) helps reduce energy usage in eligible buildings by providing technical services and incentives for the installation of cost-effective energy efficiency improvements. With this program, building owners and residents can save substantial amounts of money on utilities and redice the demand for energy.

The program consists of rebates toward the cost of installing energy efficient equipment and free in-unit measures. For buildings with Con Edison electric service, best savings opportunities under this program include: 

* common area CFLs and linear fluorescent fixtures 

* bi-level stairwell and hallway fixtures 

* LED exit signs (must replace existing incandescent or CFL Exit signs)

* occupancy sensors

* electric motors (pumps & fans)

Eligibility: Buildings with 5 to 75 dwelling units and an active Con Edison electric and/or heating gas account that pay into the System Benefits Charge (SBC) are eligible for the program.  Gas incentives are available only in buildings that have Con Edison heating gas accounts priced at a "firm gas" rate.  Contact Carol Cumberbatch at (212) 279-3902 ext. 8274 or ccumberbatch[at]aeanyc.org for more information about the program.

UnWaste NY

Did you know that 25 percent of the energy we pay for, we waste? That means you’re paying more for your cooling bills than you have to. Now there’s unwasteNY, a free public service that brings New Yorkers together to reduce our energy waste, so that we can all live more resourcefully.

At unwasteNY.org you can create a free custom plan to unwaste energy in your home, see how your energy use compares to your neighbors, learn small actions that can make a big difference in reducing energy waste and find programs and rebates to help you save energy and money.

For more information and to start unwasting now, log in online at www.unwasteny.org. 

Green Guide for Multifamily Affordable Housing

UHAB has developed, in partnership with the Pratt Center for Community Development, a downloadable Green Guide for Multifamily Affordable Housing. This is a guide that you can use to learn about the range of energy efficiency programs that are offered in New York City as well how to finance them.  By using this guide, hopefully you will be able to find the energy efficiency program that’s right for you.

DEP Leak Notification Program- Sign up your building today!

The Leak Notification Program is a new initiative from the Department of Environmental Protection that alerts customers to potential water leaks on their property.

Did you know:

• Leaks can account for an average of 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year. That’s equivalent of the amount used to fill a swimming pool!
• If a toilet runs constantly, you could be wasting 200 gallons of water at a cost of approximately $800 per toilet every day.
• A typical leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year!
• A showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year at an approximate cost of $2000 per year.

Source: WaterSense and EPA Partnership Program http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/fixleak.html

Here’s how it works: register online and you will receive email notifications if your water use increases unexpectedly.  This gives your HDFC a chance to address any major leaks before they cause a bigger billing problem for the building at large.

You can apply online at: DEP Leak_Notification website.  For information please call 718-595-7000.

Green Jobs and Green Buildings for New York Families

Green Jobs/Green New York is an unprecedente statewide initiative to rettrofit one million homes and small businesses in five years. The program will make New York homes energy efficient, lower fossil fuels emissions, and combat climate change. It will save households an average of 30-40% of energy consumption, create around 60,000 quality green jobs and obviate the need for new power plants. 

The program is administered by NYSERDA via different community-based organizations across the city. UHAB is partnering with Make the Road New York for buildings in specific Brooklyn neighborhoods and Downtown Manhattan Community Development Corporation for buildings in the Lower Manhattan. Stay tuned for more information! 

Additional information about the program can be found online or feel free to contact Claire at meredith[at]uhab.org or 212-479-3374 to find the organization serving your community.