Upper Manhattan HVAC Contractor Selection in 2024: Essential Questions About Local Law 97 Compliance Experience

Selecting the Right Upper Manhattan HVAC Contractor for Local Law 97 Compliance: Your 2024 Guide to Energy-Efficient Building Solutions

As New York City’s Local Law 97 compliance requirements take full effect in 2024, building owners throughout Upper Manhattan are facing unprecedented challenges in meeting stringent greenhouse gas emissions limits. The first compliance period started on January 1, 2024 and runs through 2029, with building owners required to file a report with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) by May 1, 2025, detailing the building’s annual greenhouse gas emissions for the preceding calendar year. Selecting an HVAC contractor with proven Local Law 97 experience has become critical for property owners seeking to avoid costly penalties while maintaining comfortable, efficient buildings.

Understanding Local Law 97’s Impact on HVAC Systems

HVAC retrofits involve upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC equipment, improving ventilation systems, and optimizing controls to improve system efficiency, with NYCEEC offering low-interest loans and other financing options to help building owners pay for energy efficiency upgrades, such as lighting retrofits, HVAC system upgrades, and building envelope improvements. Buildings that do not comply with the new limits set by Local Law 97 will be required to pay $268 per metric ton of CO2 that exceeds the allowed limit every year until the building is made more efficient.

The 2024 limits were designed to only cover the 20-25% highest carbon emitting buildings, with about 75-80% of multifamily buildings already in compliance for 2024. However, in 2030, about 75% of buildings over 25,000 square feet will be subject to fines under the law. This makes selecting the right HVAC contractor with Local Law 97 expertise essential for long-term compliance planning.

Essential Questions to Ask When Selecting Your HVAC Contractor

1. Local Law 97 Compliance Experience

When evaluating potential contractors, ask about their specific experience with Local Law 97 projects. High-performance systems that comply with Local Law 97 require commercial buildings to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. Look for contractors who can demonstrate successful completion of compliance projects and understand the nuances of the regulations.

2. Energy Efficiency Expertise

Cooling and heating systems account for a significant portion of a building’s energy consumption, and inefficient or poorly maintained systems can waste energy and drive up costs, with conducting regular maintenance on HVAC systems helping identify and address performance issues. Your chosen contractor should have expertise in high-efficiency equipment installation and system optimization.

3. Certification and Licensing

Ensure your contractor holds proper EPA and NATE certifications. Expert technicians should be NATE and EPA certified, experienced, and highly trained. These certifications demonstrate competency in handling refrigerants and understanding energy-efficient HVAC technologies.

4. Local Market Knowledge

Upper Manhattan’s unique building stock, from historic brownstones to modern high-rises, requires specialized knowledge. Local expertise extends to New York County’s unique climate, allowing providers to deliver tailored solutions to address specific HVAC needs, understanding the challenges of New York County’s weather conditions and knowing how to address them effectively.

Why Brothers Supply Stands Out for Local Law 97 Projects

When searching for an experienced HVAC Contractor Manhattan with Local Law 97 expertise, Brothers Supply brings over five decades of proven service to the table. For more than half a century, Brothers Supply has been a cornerstone of the HVAC industry in Manhattan, New York, as a family-owned business with a legacy of over 50 years, taking pride in offering the most up-to-date, highest-rated, and eco-friendly heating and cooling equipment, as well as exceptional HVAC services.

Their team of certified technicians is equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to handle any HVAC challenge, big or small, with certified HVAC experts guaranteeing HVAC needs are handled with the highest level of professionalism and expertise. Their extensive knowledge and experience gives them the ability to handle the unique needs of hospitals, hotels, rehabilitation and nursing facilities, real estate organizations, schools and universities.

Key Services for Local Law 97 Compliance

Energy Conservation Measures

Prescriptive measures for compliance include adjusting temperature set points for heat and hot water to reflect appropriate space occupancy and facility requirements, maintaining the heating system including ensuring that system component parts are clean and in good operating condition, and installing individual temperature controls or insulated radiator enclosures with temperature controls on all radiators.

System Retrofits and Upgrades

As of April 2024, new rules under LL97 include a “Beneficial Electrification Credit” awarded to buildings that install high-efficiency heating, cooling, and domestic hot water systems before 2030, with buildings receiving higher credits if these systems are installed before 2026.

Financial Incentives and Support Programs

New York City has put programs and services in place available through NYSERDA and local utilities, with current programs including Low Carbon Pathways offering incentives ranging from $700-$5,000 per installation of low carbon upgrades, NY-SUN offering incentives per watt through approved NY-SUN contractors, and AMEEP providing joint utilities and NYSERDA incentives for the installation of energy-efficient equipment.

The Importance of Acting Now

Several of the pathways require properties to get started in 2024, with over 50,000 buildings citywide subject to LL97, meaning preferred service providers may not have capacity for owners and managers that wait too long to get started. Early movers get access to the best mix of incentives, Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), potential offsets, and financing (including PACE), while waiting until deadlines means competing with everyone else for the same contractors, capital, and utility windows.

Making the Right Choice

Selecting an HVAC contractor for Local Law 97 compliance requires careful consideration of experience, certifications, local knowledge, and proven track record. As a locally owned and operated business for over 50 years with deep roots in the community, committed to serving neighbors with integrity and care, Brothers Supply offers 24/7 emergency services, so you’re never left in discomfort when HVAC issues arise.

The time to act is now. With compliance reporting beginning in 2025 and stricter limits approaching in 2030, partnering with an experienced contractor who understands both the technical requirements and regulatory landscape of Local Law 97 is essential for protecting your investment and ensuring long-term building performance.