Pratt Center for Community Development

Energy Matters:
Energy saving resources for NYC buildings

A project of Pratt Center / Energy $mart Communities

Buildings generate 79% of New York City's carbon emissions through their energy consumption; residential buildings alone account for 30% of the city's greenhouse gases that cause global warming. But often, 25-50% of the energy used in buildings goes up the chimney, or is otherwise wasted. Reducing energy use cuts dangerous emissions, lowers building operating costs and makes buildings healthier and more comfortable to live in.

Because buildings that house low- and moderate-income people are among the city's least efficient buildings and, because affordable housing has the most at stake in terms of financial sustainability, this site gives particular focus to ensuring that affordable housing has access to the resources needed to operate at maximum energy efficiency.

We want to make it easy for you to do the right thing. Please contact us to let us know your comments and questions about these resources, request additional information, or discuss your building portfolio:

• Events: Learn about our upcoming classes, workshops and conferences.
• Retrofit Basics: A list of places to look for potential savings in energy use and expense in your building.
• Energy efficiency calculator: Use your energy bills to figure out how efficiently your building is operating.
• Financing sources for energy efficiency improvements: A summary of available financial incentives for energy improvements in affordable housing with five or more apartments and income eligibility guidelines for each program.
• Financing solar power in NYC: New York is now one of the most financially friendly places to install electric solar systems. Learn about solar power, and currently available financial incentives.
• NYSERDA updates : More information about New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) incentives and programs supporting energy retrofits of small homes, apartment buildings, community facilities and commercial spaces.
• Greening New York City neighborhoods : Suggestions for neighborhood associations and community organizations about ways to green your community.
• Workshop materials: Slideshows, applications, manuals, and other resources from energy efficiency workshops in and around New York City.

Neighborhood Housing Services of NYC revitalizes underserved neighborhoods by creating and preserving affordable housing and providing opportunities for homeownership education, financial assistance and community leadership. Pratt Center and NHS have joined forces as the coordinators of The New York Energy $mart Communities Program for Brooklyn and Queens starting July 1, 2008. NHS and Pratt are working together to develop projects and partnerships to reduce NYC’s energy use, particularly in low- and moderate-income housing and neighborhoods. NHS’ Bedford Stuyvesant, East Flatbush, Jamaica and Northern Queens offices will help homeowners reduce their energy use and take advantage of available incentive programs from NYSERDA and alert them to incentives through, DHCR’s Weatherization Assistance Program, National Grid and Con Edison.

The New York Energy $mart^SM Communities Program creates networks of organizations and agencies that contribute to energy-focused neighborhood projects. The program shares economic, environmental and social benefits through energy efficiency and the diversifying of energy resources. Pratt Center is the Energy $mart Communities Coordinator for Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan, below 96th Street.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation that strives to reduce energy consumption and improve the State's economic and environmental wellbeing through the widespread development and use of innovative technologies. The agency is primarily supported by a small fee charged to all consumers on our utility bills. This fee, called a systems benefits charge, was established in 1996 by the Public Services Commission, which regulates electric companies. More information about NYSERDA's programs can be found on www.getenergysmart.org , www.powernaturally.org and www.nyserda.org .