Local Law 87 (LL87) is a regulation passed by the New York City Council in 2009 that requires all buildings over 50,000 square feet to undergo energy audits and retro-commissioning every 10 years.
An energy audit is an evaluation of a building's energy performance and the identification of potential energy-saving measures. It includes a review of the building's energy consumption patterns, building systems (such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and building envelope. The audit report provides recommendations for energy efficiency improvements that can be made to the building.
Retro-commissioning is the process of optimizing and improving the performance of existing building systems. It involves testing and adjusting building systems to ensure they are operating at their maximum efficiency. Retro-commissioning can include activities such as identifying and correcting equipment malfunctions, adjusting control systems, and improving maintenance procedures.
The LL87 energy audit and retro-commissioning requirements are intended to help building owners and managers identify energy-saving opportunities and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The audits and retro-commissioning must be performed by qualified professionals and submitted to the New York City Department of Buildings for review and approval.
Energy Audits and Retro-commissioning Compliance Deadlines
The compliance deadlines for Local Law 87 (LL87) energy audits and retro-commissioning in New York City are based on the last digit of the building's tax block number. Here are the compliance deadlines:
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 0: December 31, 2020
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 1: December 31, 2021
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 2: December 31, 2022
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 3: December 31, 2023
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 4: December 31, 2024
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 5: December 31, 2025
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 6: December 31, 2026
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 7: December 31, 2027
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 8: December 31, 2028
- Buildings with tax block numbers ending in 9: December 31, 2029
Building owners should note that compliance with LL87 must be repeated every ten years, and the next compliance deadline will depend on the last digit of the building's tax block number. Building owners should work with qualified professionals to ensure compliance and avoid potential violations. The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) website provides guidance on compliance and a list of registered professionals.
What are Local Law 87 violations?
There are several potential violations associated with Local Law 87 (LL87) in New York City, which requires energy audits and retro-commissioning of certain buildings. Here are some examples:
- Failure to perform an energy audit and retro-commissioning: Building owners who fail to comply with the LL87 requirements can be issued violations and face penalties. The initial deadline for compliance was December 31, 2013, and subsequent compliance deadlines occur every 10 years.
- Failure to submit the required reports: After an energy audit and retro-commissioning are performed, the building owner must submit a report to the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). Failure to submit the report on time can result in penalties.
- Incomplete or inaccurate reports: The DOB may issue a violation if the energy audit or retro-commissioning report is incomplete, inaccurate, or does not meet the LL87 requirements.
- Failure to address identified deficiencies: If the energy audit or retro-commissioning report identifies deficiencies that can improve the building's energy efficiency, the building owner must address those issues. Failure to address the deficiencies can result in violations.
- False statements or misrepresentations: Any false statements or misrepresentations made in connection with the LL87 compliance process can result in violations.
Penalties for LL87 violations can include fines and fees, as well as mandatory compliance orders. Building owners should take the LL87 requirements seriously and work with qualified professionals to ensure compliance and avoid potential violations.
How to Comply Local Law 87 Nyc
To comply with Local Law 87 (LL87) in New York City, building owners must follow these steps:
- Determine compliance deadline: The compliance deadline for LL87 varies depending on the last digit of the building's tax block number. Building owners should check the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) website to determine their compliance deadline.
- Hire qualified professionals: Building owners must hire qualified professionals to perform the LL87 energy audit and retro-commissioning. The professionals must meet certain qualifications and be registered with the DOB.
- Conduct energy audit: The energy audit includes a review of the building's energy consumption patterns, building systems, and building envelope. The audit report provides recommendations for energy efficiency improvements that can be made to the building.
- Perform retro-commissioning: Retro-commissioning involves testing and adjusting building systems to ensure they are operating at their maximum efficiency. Retro-commissioning can include activities such as identifying and correcting equipment malfunctions, adjusting control systems, and improving maintenance procedures.
- Submit report to the DOB: After the energy audit and retro-commissioning are complete, building owners must submit a report to the DOB for review and approval. The report must be submitted by the compliance deadline.
- Address identified deficiencies: If the energy audit or retro-commissioning report identifies deficiencies that can improve the building's energy efficiency, the building owner must address those issues.
- Repeat every 10 years: LL87 compliance must be repeated every 10 years.
Building owners should work with qualified professionals to ensure compliance with LL87 and avoid potential violations. The DOB website provides guidance on compliance and a list of registered professionals.
FAQs
Q: What is Local Law 87?
Ans: Local Law 87 is a law in New York City that requires buildings larger than 50,000 square feet to conduct an energy audit and retro-commissioning every 10 years.
Q: What is an energy audit?
Ans: An energy audit is a review of a building's energy consumption patterns, building systems, and building envelope to identify areas where energy efficiency improvements can be made.
Q: What is retro-commissioning?
Ans: Retro-commissioning is the process of testing and adjusting building systems to ensure they are operating at their maximum efficiency.
Q: Who is required to comply with Local Law 87?
Ans: Building owners in New York City with buildings larger than 50,000 square feet are required to comply with LL87.
Q: What is the compliance deadline for Local Law 87?
Ans: The compliance deadline for LL87 is based on the last digit of the building's tax block number and varies from December 31, 2020, to December 31, 2029.
Q: What happens if a building owner does not comply with Local Law 87?
Ans: Building owners who do not comply with LL87 can receive violations and face penalties, including fines and mandatory compliance orders.
Q: Can a building owner perform the energy audit and
retro-commissioning themselves?
Ans: No, building owners must hire qualified professionals to perform the energy audit and retro-commissioning. The professionals must meet certain qualifications and be registered with the New York City Department of Buildings.
Q: How can a building owner find qualified professionals to perform the
energy audit and retro-commissioning?
Ans: The New York City Department of Buildings website provides a list of qualified professionals who can perform LL87 energy audits and retro-commissioning.
Q: How often must compliance with Local Law 87 be repeated?
Ans: Compliance with LL87 must be repeated every 10 years.
