Skylight Resources
Learn with Skylight resources geared to fit your needs
Policy
A revamped NYC Accelerator bets on its “Momentum” platform to push building projects forward
A new online tool brings together swaths of data to help buildings scope and plan LL97 energy efficiency projects
News
Can New York’s biggest electrical utility handle the heat?
Con Edison has made big investments to boost cleaner energy supply, but summer heatwave outages, plus added demand from electrifying buildings, still raise questions about climate readiness.
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?
Financing
Finding clean energy funds: A guide to NYSERDA’s incentives and programs
An introduction to the myriad cost sharing, rebates, and free assistance programs from New York state’s energy authority.
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.
How-To
Keep on Pumping: Tips for maintaining a heat pump
Experts say careful installation, maintenance, and user behavior are the keys to keeping systems efficient.
Event Recap
Skylight takes New Yorkers behind the scenes of the Victoria’s energy-efficient renovation
A recap of Skylight’s latest clean energy building tour, hosted in partnership with EN-POWER GROUP.
Explainer
Battery systems store lots of potential for New York City. Here’s how they work.
An explainer on residential building energy storage systems (BESS) and what they can offer to NYC buildings.
Explainer
“Does this place have good energy?”
What to ask about building emissions before you buy an apartment in New York City
Efficiency
Optimizing your steam heat boiler
How to upgrade steam boiler heating systems to meet Local Law 97 emission standards
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
Clean Energy
It’s hard — and it’s happening
One year in, Skylight has documented real progress towards a clean energy transition in New York City’s apartment buildings
Explainer
How steam heat boilers work
Boilers have warmed New York buildings for decades. But to prepare them to meet the city’s new climate standards, we must first understand how they function.
Ask an Expert
“If you have a pulse on what’s going on, you don’t lose a building”
A Q&A with property manager Desi Ndreu on the value of communication, and how property management is responding to the need to decarbonize
Event Recap
Skylight offers a peek inside Two Charlton Owner Corp.’s energy efficiency transformation
The Charlton House has been prepping for Local Law 97 since before the law even existed. See what upgrades they’ve embraced.
Policy
What the candidates for mayor have to say about New York’s landmark climate housing law
Local Law 97 has been up for discussion at the past few mayoral debates. Who we elect on November 4 will decide the policy’s fate.
Explainer
The value of a building wellness check
An energy audit team talks through the benefits of knowing where your building stands
Ask an Expert
“You have to break it down so that it can be understood by a third grader”
A Q&A with Martin Robertson, a Brooklyn-based facilities manager, on how to push for progress in a big building
Ask a Cooperator
“If we could do it, anyone could”
A Q&A with two cooperators from one of New York City’s original self-managed Finnish co-ops, who coordinated efforts to tune up their ancient boiler and patch up leaks in the walls
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
Ask a Cooperator
“Everyone’s sick of hearing about heat pumps from me!”
A Q&A with Kathryn DeFehr, Brooklyn architect and co-op resident, on how to sway a co-op board
