Case Study
Stories about New Yorkers leading the clean energy transition in their own homes.
Cool Tech
What is a “Radiator Cozy” and how does it work?
Inwood Park Apartments was able to save money on fuel and reduce carbon emissions — all by insulating their in-unit radiators
Profile
How a dyed-in-the-wool cooperator led his building through change
Hal Fuchsman is a lifelong believer in the co-op model of homeownership, but leading his building through an energy efficiency upgrade challenged even him.
Cooperation
“Every win comes with a concession”: The ups and downs of navigating energy efficiency collectively
A change of plan at Inwood Park Apartments required communication, education, and more opportunities for feedback
Ask an Expert
“It’s a very game-like problem: You’re trying to build things, and there are obstacles”
A Q&A with Richard Reiss, developer of decarbonization board game Energetic and founder of City Atlas
Case Study
In Queens, a culture-driven approach to energy efficiency changed everything
How a historic Jackson Heights co-op secured its grade A energy rating through incremental upgrades and consistent shareholder discourse
reports on the clean energy challenge happening right now in New York, illustrating how New Yorkers are tackling decarbonization at home: In their apartments, co-ops, and houses.
Getting Started
Efficiency
Sealing in the benefits of energy efficiency
Project designers explain why air sealing is a crucial component of any energy efficiency project
Explainer
What is Local Law 97?
Skylight’s all-in-one explainer of New York City’s landmark building decarbonization law — and what it means for the city’s residential buildings.
Ask a Cooperator
“Read the F*cking Manual!”
A Q&A with Chris McGinnis, a former IBM worker and longtime co-op resident who made it his mission to learn how buildings work so he could make his own more efficient
How-To
Tenant power heats up
How one rent-stabilized building organized to demand heating upgrades
Going Big
Clean Energy
NYCHA makes a market: Here’s how
To develop a heat pump that didn’t yet exist, New York’s public agencies put up millions in investment, then challenged the market to develop a solution — a strategy that’s seen success before
Profile
Eric Bluestone talks solar strategy
Bluestone, president at the Bluestone Organization, is putting solar anywhere he can
Case Study
Pilot light: HDFC co-op pioneers a new strategy for air-source heat pumps
Inside the pilot program that helped this LMI Manhattan co-op lean less heavily on #2 heating oil
Profile
Small heat pump, big difference
Residents Maria Lopez and Tammy Reyes on the 2023 NYCHA heat pump pilot that brought more comfort and control into their homes
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Edition 8 July 2025
Case Study
A clean energy future for this Queens public development is… hanging out the window?
NYCHA, the city’s largest residential landlord, has set ambitious goals to reduce the carbon emissions of its buildings. Its test run of window-unit heat pumps in one Queens development offers a promising pathway
Cool Tech
How do window-unit heat pumps work?
Behind the new heat pumps that are helping to decarbonize NYCHA’s Woodside housing
Clean Energy
NYCHA makes a market: Here’s how
To develop a heat pump that didn’t yet exist, New York’s public agencies put up millions in investment, then challenged the market to develop a solution — a strategy that’s seen success before
Profile
Small heat pump, big difference
Residents Maria Lopez and Tammy Reyes on the 2023 NYCHA heat pump pilot that brought more comfort and control into their homes
