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Stories about New Yorkers leading the clean energy transition in their own homes.
News
How New York’s biggest electrical utility is responding to high heat, high demand
Con Edison has made big investments to boost cleaner energy supply, including the Champlain Hudson Power Express. But summer heatwave outages still raise questions about climate readiness.
Ask an Expert
“You have to consider other shareholders’ needs, and you all pitch in to achieve something together”
An expert on NYC co-ops speaks about what clean energy goals and regulation mean for this unique homeownership model.
Financing
Capital Planning: The misunderstood but mighty tool for co-op and condo retrofits
Skylight’s guide to the work that can help boards manage regulatory compliance, energy transition, and maintaining aging building systems.
Policy
State climate law has changed. How will that affect New York City buildings?
New York State has one of the most ambitious climate laws in the country — but will recent changes at the state level move New York City away from its goals?
Profile
“We have to walk and chew gum at the same time”:
Affordable housing expert Sadie McKeown says for multifamily buildings in New York, affordability and energy efficiency go hand-in-hand
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
Explainer
Breaking down the J-51 tax abatement: Who is it for, and how can it help?
Skylight explains the tax break that helps New York City apartments recoup costs for building upgrades
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
Explainer
What is the passive house movement?
This set of German-originated building principles is a game-changer for energy efficiency
Efficiency
Optimizing your steam heat boiler
How to upgrade steam boiler heating systems to meet Local Law 97 emission standards
Going Big
Case Study
The Queens co-op that built a foundation for Local Law 97 compliance, brick by brick
At a middle-income co-op in western Queens, a series of smaller projects over a longer period do the same work as a single big-ticket upgrade to reduce carbon emissions
Case Study
At the Harlem River Houses, HVAC gets a history lesson
A historic NYCHA development leaves behind steam heat for clean energy as part of a suite of new upgrades
Cool Tech
Steam heat systems learning new tricks
A legacy boiler company is pioneering boiler replacement with a steam-generating heat pump powerful enough to heat New York’s biggest apartment buildings
Case Study
What are we going to do with this roof?
The story of how one Brooklyn condo board bonded together over solar energy — after much deliberation
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Edition 11 January 2026
Case Study
At the Harlem River Houses, HVAC gets a history lesson
A historic NYCHA development leaves behind steam heat for clean energy as part of a suite of new upgrades
Tips and Tricks
Tyrone Thomas: “Stay engaged, even if they’re upset”
Tenant engagement, specialized support, and independent oversight were key to managing the retrofit at Harlem River Houses, even as it remained a bustling, active community
Financing
How nonprofit developers financed Harlem River Houses’ major rehabilitation
To complete the multi-million-dollar retrofit, partners on the project leveraged a mix of public and private funding sources
Cool Tech
A heat pump that slots into the façade and is pack(aged) with benefits
More retrofit projects are shifting toward the use of packaged terminal heat pumps, or PTHP units, as an energy- and cost-efficient way to upgrade a property’s heating system
