Local Law 33 of 2018 is in the spotlight, as the deadline to post placards has recently passed (October 31, 2020). But, what exactly is this NYC ordinance? Local Law 33 of 2018 amended the Administrative Code of the City of New York in relation to energy efficiency scores and grades for buildings required to benchmark their energy and water consumption. All buildings over 25,000 square feet are required to display their energy grade; in a public and clearly visible location.

An energy efficiency score is the 1-100 ENERGY STAR® Score that a building earns using the United States Environmental Protection Agency's online benchmarking tool, ENERGYSTAR Portfolio Manager. Your energy efficiency score determines the letter grade, as follows:

• A – score is equal to or greater than 85;
• B – score is equal to or greater than 70 but less than 85;
• C – score is equal to or greater than 55 but less than 70;
• D – score is less than 55;
• F – for buildings that didn’t submit required benchmarking information;
• N – for buildings exempted from benchmarking or not covered by the Energy Star program.

A low grade can negatively affect your business by making it more difficult to attract quality tenants (residential and commercial) who will equate the lack of energy efficiency to higher gas and electricity bills for them. Also, for a building owned by the end-user, a low grade is a blight on your corporate image.

The solution to raise your grade includes hiring an energy auditor who will not only provide you with the answers on how to maximize your energy efficiency, but to also help you meet the Local Law 33 of 2018 requirements properly and in a timely manner.

It has been reported that buildings generate a whopping 80% of New York City's greenhouse gas emissions. Improving your grade is key to protecting our environment and the sustainability of your business.

Need help with raising your grade? HEA can help! HEAsolutions@horizon-engineering.com