NYC Local Law 33/95 Update – Energy Efficiency poster (pdf file)

NYC Local Law 33/95 Update – Energy Efficiency Labels

Introduction:

New York City's Local Law 33 of 2018, updated by Local Law 95 of 2019, focuses on increasing transparency regarding building energy efficiency. This legislation requires certain properties to display an energy efficiency letter grade, much like a restaurant grading system. The goal is to provide a quick and easy way for the public to assess how energy-efficient a building is and encourage building owners to improve their energy performance. This law is part of the city's broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Understanding Local Law 33/95:

Local Law 33 originally mandated that buildings over 25,000 square feet must obtain an energy efficiency grade based on their ENERGY STAR score. The grade is calculated using the EPA's Portfolio Manager, which benchmarks the building’s energy performance against similar structures nationwide. The 2019 update (Local Law 95) made adjustments to how the grades are assigned and introduced a more stringent grading scale.

Grades Breakdown:

• A: ENERGY STAR score of 85 or higher
• B: ENERGY STAR score of 70-84
• C: ENERGY STAR score of 55-69
• D: ENERGY STAR score below 55
• F: Buildings that fail to submit energy data
• N: Buildings exempt from benchmarking requirements

2. Who Needs to Comply?

Buildings larger than 25,000 square feet must comply. This includes both commercial and residential buildings and owners of multiple buildings on a single lot or campus that collectively exceed 100,000 square feet.

3. Energy Efficiency Label Requirements:

Building owners are required to obtain and display an energy efficiency grade label near each public entrance of their building by October 31 of each year. The label should be easily visible to tenants and visitors, similar to how restaurants display health inspection grades.

4. The Process to Obtain the Energy Efficiency Label:

To comply with the law, building owners need to follow a series of steps to acquire and display their energy efficiency grade label:

Step 1: Benchmark Energy Use

• Log into the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to benchmark the building's energy usage. The building's performance data, such as utility bills, occupancy, and operational hours, should be uploaded to the platform.
• For benchmarking, the building’s energy and water use for the previous calendar year must be submitted by May 1st annually.

Step 2: Receive an ENERGY STAR Score

• After data submission, the Portfolio Manager assigns an ENERGY STAR score ranging from 1 to 100 based on the building's energy efficiency compared to similar properties nationwide.
• The score determines the building's energy efficiency grade (A, B, C, D, F, or N).

Step 3: Access the Energy Efficiency Grade

• Building owners can view their building's energy efficiency grade and score via the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label Portal.
• Log in using the building's DOB ID and BIN (Building Identification Number) to access the grade information.

Step 4: Download the Energy Efficiency Label

• Once logged in, the building owner must download the label from the portal. The label is updated annually, reflecting the building's latest ENERGY STAR score and energy efficiency grade.
• The label includes:
  • The building’s grade (A, B, C, D, F, or N)
  • The building's specific energy score
  • A unique QR code that links to further building energy information

Step 5: Print and Display the Label

• Print the label on 8.5 x 11-inch paper. The NYC Department of Buildings requires the sticker to be displayed near each public entrance by October 31st each year.
• Ensure the label is clearly visible to anyone entering the building. Failure to properly display the label results in a fine.

5. Compliance and Enforcement:

• Failure to Benchmark: Buildings that fail to submit their benchmarking data will receive an "F" grade.
• Failure to Display: Not displaying the energy efficiency label results in an annual penalty of $1,250.
• Annual Updates: Building owners must repeat this process every year. The energy efficiency grade reflects the most recent calendar year’s data, meaning the building's energy performance can improve or worsen annually.

6. Improving Building Energy Performance:

If a building receives a low grade, owners are encouraged to improve energy efficiency by:

• Upgrading lighting to energy-efficient options.
• Improving insulation and sealing to prevent energy loss.
• Installing energy-efficient HVAC systems.
• Implementing energy monitoring systems to track and optimize usage.

Conclusion:

NYC Local Law 33/95 plays a crucial role in enhancing the city's sustainability efforts by requiring buildings to benchmark their energy usage and publicly display their energy efficiency grades. By following the steps outlined, building owners can ensure compliance with the law, avoid penalties, and contribute to a greener NYC.

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NYC Local Law 33 and 95 Update – Energy Efficiency Labels now available for Download.

As many New York City building owners know, starting this year per Local Laws 33/95, NYC covered buildings (buildings over 25,000sf) are required to post their Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label by October 31st. The Label includes the building’s Energy Star Score that was submitted for Local Law 84 compliance this year and a Letter Grade assigned by the DOB based on the Energy Star Score.

As of October 1st, the Building Energy Efficiency Rating Labels are now available for download.

Property teams will need to access, print and post the grade in a conspicuous location near each public entrance by October 31st, or be subject to a violation and a $1,250 fine.

Steps to comply:

1.    Visit DOB NOW Public Portal. The Building Energy Efficiency Rating Labels will be made available upon Oct 1st of every year.
2.    Scroll to the bottom of the page and select the “Get Your Building Energy Efficiency Rating
3.    Access your property’s profile by the BBL number.
4.    If a lot number exists, a list of BINs with corresponding addresses will be listed in rows. (If the BBL is not on the covered building list, an error message will be displayed. If you think your building should be covered follow the link to the DOB site.)
5.    A button/link to download the label will be displayed next to each row with specific BIN/Address. Click on that button/link.
6.   On a new screen enter required information and e-sign the attestations (by checking a box).
7.   Click submit, the label will be displayed. Download, print it, and post it (see posting guidelines below).
8.   Repeat steps 5-7 for each BIN on the lot.
9.   If your building has a Letter Grade of N, you are not required to post the Label

The Letter Grade Assignments

Letter Grade assignments were determined by the NYC DOB and are based on the building’s Energy Star Score for the 2019 calendar year that was submitted for Local Law 84 compliance by August 1st of 2020. The Letter Grades are assigned as per the table below:

DOB Requirements for Posting Labels:

• A printed 8½” x 11” paper label is acceptable.
• Framing/laminating the label is suggested, but not required, as long as all info included in the label is clearly visible for the entire year.
• The label may be printed in color (recommended) or in gray scale.
• Once printed, the label shall be displayed either externally or internally in a conspicuous location near each public entrance, so it is visible to public.
• The label shall be displayed at a vertical height no less than 4’ and no more than 6’ from the ground or floor.
• The label shall not be defaced, marred, camouflaged or hidden from public view.
• The label must be replaced every year with the latest issued version and must be displayed year- round.

Interested in Improving your Letter Grade?

CodeGreen is New York City’s leading benchmarking provider for commercial property.

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