Using Passive House to Fast-Track Building Electrification

Posted by NYPH , April 13, 2022 - News, Policy

electrification

A growing body of research tells us achieving deep carbon reduction targets of 75% or more will require electrification, including all furnaces and water heaters across the country, and powering those buildings with 100% renewable energy. Nationally, approximately 27% of the total natural gas consumption occurs directly in residential and commercial buildings. This has led policymakers in many U.S. jurisdictions to consider building electrification policies and incentives as a way to meet climate goals. And with research…

Gov. Hochul Announces Federal Funding for Homes

Posted by NYPH , April 12, 2022 - Policy

NY State Governor

Awards Through New York’s Weatherization Stimulus Program Will Reduce Energy Costs for Low-Income Homeowners and Renters; Advance Governor's Target of Two Million Electrified or Electrification-Ready Homes by 2030 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $34 million in federal funding awards for over 1,000 homes to become more energy-efficient and climate-friendly. Awarded through the state’s Weatherization Stimulus Program, the funding will support electrification and electrification-ready upgrades that will lower energy costs and improve health…

EPA publishes Clean Air in Buildings Challenge

Posted by Andreas Benzing , March 28, 2022 - Policy, Ventilation

Guidance to Help Building Owners and Operators Improve Indoor Air Quality and Protect Public Health The “Clean Air in Buildings Challenge” is a call to action and a set of guiding principles and best practices to assist building owners and operators with reducing risks from airborne viruses and other contaminants indoors. The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge highlights a range of recommendations and resources available for improving ventilation and indoor…

Biden launches green buildings partnership with states, cities

Posted by NYPH , March 22, 2022 - News, Policy

president biden

The Biden administration is launching a new partnership with two states and several cities aimed at reducing planet-warming emissions from buildings. President Biden is expected to announce the new "Buildings Performance Standards Coalition" during remarks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors on Friday. According to a White House fact sheet first shared with The Hill, the partnership will include 33 state and local governments that encompass 20 percent of the country’s…

Biden Administration Launches Effort to Improve Ventilation and Reduce the Spread of COVID-⁠19 in Buildings

Posted by Andreas Benzing , March 21, 2022 - HVAC, News, Policy, Ventilation

FACT SHEET: Earlier this month, the Biden-Harris Administration released the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, a roadmap to move the country forward safely and continue to fight COVID-19 as Americans get back to their more normal routines.  Today the Administration is launching the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, a key component of the President’s Plan, that calls on all building owners and operators, schools, colleges and universities, and organizations of all kinds…

NYC Enacts Legislation to Promote All-Electric Buildings

Posted by Andreas Benzing , March 16, 2022 - News, Policy

NYC is now the largest city in the U.S. to enact legislation relating to the electrification of buildings. On December 15, 2021, the NY City Council voted in support of Int. 2317A-2021, which effectively mandates the electrification of most new buildings by prohibiting the on-site “combustion of a substance that emits 25 kilograms or more of carbon dioxide per million British thermal units of energy.” Former Mayor Bill de Blasio, a…

EIA: US Electricity Prices Increased by 4.3% During 2021

Posted by NYPH , March 3, 2022 - Featured Stories, Policy

Author : Michael Tobias March 1, 2022 4 Minutes Read KEY TAKEAWAYS The US Energy Information Administration reported an electricity price hike of 4.3% for 2021, the highest 12-month increase since 2008. Between December 2020 and 2021, the EIA Electric Power Monthly report shows a 7.6% increase in residential and commercial kilowatt-hour prices. Rising electricity prices affect building owners directly, but they also represent a greater opportunity to save with…

NYC Gas Ban (Local Law 154 of 2021)

Posted by NYPH , March 3, 2022 - Policy

Giovanni E. Melendez | Wednesday March 2, 2022 In December 2021, NYC signed into law a ban on natural gas and other combustion fuels in most new buildings. The natural gas ban (Local Law 154 of 2021) will take effect in December 2023 for buildings under seven stories and in 2027 for buildings greater than seven stories. Under the law, construction projects submitted for approval after 2027 must use sources…

Form for Signing on to Industry professionals letter to Governor Hochul

Posted by NYPH , February 24, 2022 - Featured Stories, Policy

Climate change is a profound threat to New York. As architects, engineers, building management staff, designers, and energy efficiency and construction industry professionals we are committed to practical solutions to this manifest threat. It is in that spirit that we applaud your proposal to end gas usage in new construction. However, deferring the start date of new all-electric requirements to as late as 2027 is too extended. We urge you…

The 2022 Community Board application is now open through Tuesday, March 1 at 5 pm

Posted by NYPH , February 24, 2022 - Featured Stories, Policy

Community Boards are the independent and representative voices of their communities—the most grass-roots form of local government. The Boards are pivotal in shaping their communities and work to enhance and preserve the character of the city’s many unique neighborhoods. Manhattan’s 12 Community Boards are composed of 50 volunteer members serving staggered two-year terms– thus, 25 members are appointed (or reappointed) each year. Manhattan Apply Here Brooklyn Apply Here Queens Apply…

How to attain our climate objectives for the built environment. Take part!

Posted by NYPH , January 7, 2022 - Featured Stories, Policy

How to attain our climate objectives for the built environment. Take part! The Passive House Institute in Germany is an independent research institute that has been carrying out research on highly efficient building construction and renovation for over 25 years. Based on our years of experience with new construction, retrofits of existing building stock and the latest research findings, we have developed the following “building blocks”. These building blocks are…