Methods
Dig deeper into the methods that help real people get real work done in their homes
Financing
Taking advantage of tax breaks gave this co-op a bigger budget for energy efficiency work
At the Queensview co-op, the J‑51 tax break secured almost $3 million in abatements over a nine-year period
Explainer
What is the passive house movement?
This set of German-originated building principles is a game-changer for energy efficiency
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
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
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
Financing
“A nice long runway”
An energy audit sets a ten-year path for compliance and savings at a Jackson Heights co-op
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
How-To
Tenant power heats up
How one rent-stabilized building organized to demand heating upgrades
Financing
“We have to be very smart with how we are using money.”
How this South Bronx co-op maximized impact without sacrificing budget
Efficiency
Sealing in the benefits of energy efficiency
Project designers explain why air sealing is a crucial component of any energy efficiency project
Financing
Making it make cents
A Q&A with Jay Merves on green financing options for different types of homeowners
Explainer
Installing heat pumps in a fully-occupied co-op
How this Manhattan building completed a major energy upgrade without disrupting residents’ lives
Financing