NYC’s Local Law 87: More Than a Path to Compliance

Overview of Local Law 87 (LL87)

NYC’s Local Law 87 (LL87) is part of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan enacted in 2009 to increase the energy efficiency of New York City’s large buildings. LL87 mandates that buildings larger than 50,000 square feet perform an energy audit and retro-commissioning every 10 years. This helps building owners understand and optimize their energy and water usage.

Key Requirements of LL87

Energy Audit: Conducted by an energy professional who evaluates the building’s energy performance, equipment functionality, and potential improvements to reduce energy usage.
Retro-Commissioning: A tune-up for the building to ensure equipment operates as intended.

Relation to Local Law 97 (LL97) and Local Law 33 (LL33)

LL97: Targets carbon emissions reduction, applying to buildings over 25,000 square feet. LL87 audits provide a roadmap to achieve LL97 carbon emission targets.
LL33: Requires buildings above 25,000 square feet to post an energy efficiency grade at each public entrance. LL87 audits help improve ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager scores, influencing these grades.

Selecting an LL87 Provider

To ensure compliance and maximize benefits, consider the following when selecting an LL87 provider:

Experience: Providers with over 5 years of LL87 services have a strong understanding of the law and its evolution.
Timeline: Comprehensive audits and retro-commissioning studies typically take at least 6 months. Be cautious of providers promising quicker turnarounds.
Qualifications: Ensure the provider has a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) on staff, as proposed changes may require a Registered Design Professional to sign off on reports.
Approach: A good provider looks at the building holistically, understanding that fixing one system impacts others. They should be thorough and identify multiple deficiencies.
Post-Audit Services: A comprehensive provider will guide you in selecting and implementing improvements for LL97 compliance, not just complete the audit and retro-commissioning.

Questions to Ask Potential LL87 Providers

How long have you been providing LL87 services?

How quickly can you complete my energy audit and retro-commissioning study?

Do you have a PE or RA on staff?

What is your approach to retro-commissioning and energy auditing?

Once the LL87 energy audit and retro-commissioning is done, what do you do next?

Can you help with installing or signing off on LL97 prescriptive measures?

What is your experience with high-performance buildings and deep energy retrofits?

Moving Forward

Understanding LL87 and its relation to LL97 is crucial for compliance and optimizing building performance. Selecting the right provider can help you achieve these goals, improve tenant comfort, and reduce energy costs.