Energy Audits & Retro Commissioning - Buildings

Buildings


Code DevelopmentNYC CodesSustainabilityReference

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction (LL97)
NYC Benchmarking Law (LL84)
Energy Grading (LL33)
Energy Audits & Retro-Commissioning (LL87)
Lighting Upgrades & Sub-Metering (LL88)
Solar & Green Roofs (LL92 & LL94)
Building Electrification (LL154)
NYC Energy Conservation Code

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction (LL97)

NYC Benchmarking Law (LL84)

Energy Grading (LL33)

Energy Audits & Retro-Commissioning (LL87)

Lighting Upgrades & Sub-Metering (LL88)

Solar & Green Roofs (LL92 & LL94)

Building Electrification (LL154)

NYC Energy Conservation Code


LL87: Energy Audits & Retro Commissioning

Local Law 87 of 2009 as amended requires owners of certain buildings to undergo energy audits and retro-commissioning every ten years to identify energy-saving measures and ensure building systems are operating efficiently.

An Energy Audit is a survey and analysis of energy use in a building with the purpose of identifying opportunities to reduce the amount of energy consumed without negatively affecting the operations.

Retro-commissioning is the process of ensuring that the energy systems in an existing building are installed as per the design intentions, functionally tested, and capable of being operated and maintained, according to the owner’s operational needs.

Covered Buildings

As it appears in the records of the NYC Department of Finance (DOF):

buildings greater than 50,000 gross square feet

a tax lot containing two or more buildings that together exceed 100,000 gross square feet

two or more buildings held in a condominium form of ownership that together are larger than 100,000 gross square feet.

Covered Buildings List (CBL)

Covered Buildings List for Compliance in 2024 (Excel)

Covered Buildings List for Compliance in 2024 (PDF)

Exceptions

If you believe your property is erroneously listed on the Covered Buildings List due to the square footage of your building, contact DOF at sustainablebuildings@finance.nyc.gov.

Please include the following in the email:

borough, block, and lot number of the building

contact information: name, email address or/and telephone number

explanation of your dispute.

Requirements

Owners are obligated to submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER), summarizing the findings and recommendations of an energy audit and related retro-commissioning measures, in the calendar year in which the last digit of the year coincides with the last digit of the building’s tax block number.

Energy Efficiency Report Submission

Submittals should be sent to LL87@buildings.nyc.gov.

Energy Efficiency Report Forms

Filing Guide

How to File an Energy Efficiency Report (LL87 of 2009 Compliance)

Reporting Tools for Energy Efficiency Reports

Energy Audit Template Tool

Create an Asset Score account on the US Department of Energy’s webpage

Select Audit Template once logged in

On the right of your screen, Select Audit Report and NYC Energy Efficiency Report

Please use the U.S. Department of Energy’s Asset Score Audit Template as the Energy Audit Data Collection Tool for LL87/09 energy audit reporting requirements.

To access the Audit Template, please follow the follow the Quick Start Guide – a resource available to help users understand the process of using and submitting the Audit Template.

Retro-Commissioning Reporting Tool

Updated Retro-Commissioning Reporting Tool
EXAMPLE: Completed Retro-commissioning Reporting Tool

NOTE: The Excel based Retro-Commissioning Tool (above) must be submitted for buildings submitting in 2020 and onward.
(If the Department has granted permission to submit in 2020 or onward using the previous 2012 Rule, submit the older version of the Retro-Commissioning Tool which may be requested by sending an email to LL87@buildings.nyc.gov).

Extensions

To apply for an extension, complete an EER2: Application for Extension to File an Energy Efficiency Report, sign the form, scan the form, then email the form to LL87@buildings.nyc.gov. The Department will notify you by email when the application has been received and send you instructions on how to mail in the payment.

Deferrals

Local Law 87 allows building owners otherwise required to submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) by December 31 to defer their filing. The deadline to file an EER1: Application to Defer Filing an Energy Efficiency Report is December 31.

Deferrals are permitted when an applicant can demonstrate that the property meets current New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) requirements.

Deferral Eligibility

To be eligible for a deferral, a building must meet one of the following qualifications:

The building is less than 10 years old (at the commencement of the first calendar year it is due to comply) and all base building systems comply with the NYCECC

The building has undergone substantial rehabilitation(as certified by a registered design professional) within the 10-year period prior to the assigned calendar year in which the report is due. At the start of such calendar year, all base building systems must be in compliance with the NYCECC in effect for new buildings constructed on or after July 1, 2010 or in effect on the date of such substantial rehabilitation, whichever is later.

How to Apply to Defer Filing

Fill in the form

EER1: Application to Defer Filing an Energy Efficiency Report

Sign, scan, and email the EER1 to LL87@buildings.nyc.gov, with documentation proving that the base building systems comply with the NYCECC

Proof of compliance with the Energy Code can be provided the procedures outlined in the Energy Analysis How to Guide. Also, please see the Professional Statement for more information.

The Department will email you when the application has been received and will send payment instructions.

Contact for Questions

Email questions to LL87Questions@buildings.nyc.gov.

Additional Information & Resources

Resolving LL87 Violations

LL87 of 2009: Information Session

LL87 of 2009 FAQs

Online Energy Audit Template Tool FAQs

Service Notice – New Audit Template

Service Notice – EER Deadlines and Filing

Service Notice – EER Must be Filed by a Registered Design Professional

Service Notice – EER Submissions Will Not be Accepted if Penalties are Outstanding

Service Notice – Process to Comply for New Buildings and Buildings Undergoing Alterations

Helpful Links

Local Law 87 of 2009

1 RCNY 103-07