Fighting for a Just Transition to Green Energy

Our Energy Services:

Pay less for heating oil with UHAB Fuel

Why Energy?

UHAB helps affordable HDFC co-ops improve energy efficiency and explore renewable energy through training and technical assistance. Energy efficiency is a crucial fight for HDFC co-ops because:

Energy efficiency keeps affordable housing affordable. Energy burden (paying over 6% of your income for energy) means paying more money to live in a less safe, less comfortable home, and having to choose between paying energy bills and other essential costs like food and healthcare.

 Because of racist housing policies that crowded low-income people of color into substandard housing, low income communities' rate of energy burden is three times higher than the national average,

In New York City, affordable HDFC co-ops provide a safe haven in an increasingly expensive city. Energy efficiency keeps down operating costs and frees up capital that can then be invested back into the co-ops' communities. 

Clean energy protects our community's health. Living in an energy inefficient home worsens health problems. Children with respiratory diseases may be exposed to pollutants if their home is not well sealed, while those with medical conditions aggravated by heat may not be able to afford to run an air conditioner.

Affordable housing residents are on the frontlines of climate change--and driving the fight for a just transition to renewable energy. HDFC co-ops are a type of affordable, self-controlled housing. They're clustered in historically underresourced neighborhoods such as upper Manhattan, the South Bronx, and Central Brooklyn. 

Today, these neighborhoods face higher environmental burdens, from worse air quality to flood risk to high heat vulnerability. Putting affordable housing at the forefront of the push for cleaner buildings and renewable energy addresses a legacy of environmental racism, and ensures a just transition to a carbon-free future. 

Contact us to take our energy survey and make a plan for your HDFC co-op.

Take advantage of Incentive Programs to upgrade your HDFC!

There are a variety of incentive programs available for affordable housing in New York City that can defray the cost of upgrading your building. Building heating systems account for 40% to 50% of energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a typical large multifamily building. And depending on building size and heating fuel, smart steam heating system adjustments can save you from $10,000 to $30,000 a year on energy costs. Here are a few programs that may be of interest to HDFCs. For a more complete list, go to https://retrofitaccelerator.cityofnewyork.us/resources

Multifamily Performance Program: NYSERDA’s Multifamily Performance Program enables you to make energy saving improvements to your affordable multifamily properties (5+ units), resulting in greater efficiency, marketability, and profitability. The program features a tiered-incentive structure, starting at $700/unit and increases up to $3,500/unit if you decide to target a higher level of projected energy savings.  You work with a NYSERDA qualified Multifamily Building Solutions Provider who will conduct an energy assessment and  create a customized improvement plan tailored to your building aimed at giving you a minimum of 20% energy savings along with reduced energy bills. The more energy savings you target, the more incentives you will get through the Multifamily Performance Program.

Benefits of the Multifamily Performance Program

• Incentives up to $3,500 per unit
• Improve Property Value
• Lower Operational Costs
• Improve Tenant Satisfaction

Con Edison Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program: Con Edison gas and electric customers are eligible for a number of free or reduced price upgrades and equipment. All buildings are eligible for free LED bulbs inside apartments, and rebates on LED bulbs in common areas. This is an easy, low-cost way to lower energy bills and comply with local laws. Con Ed gas customers are eligible for even more free and reduced cost energy conservation measures. 

Weatherization Assistance Program: This program is available to buildings where at least 2/3 of residents are below 60% of state median income. An onsite energy audit will determine what energy upgrades the building recieves, but they may include a boiler tuneup, air sealing, and wall insulation. Some upgrades are free, while some require a contribution from the building.

National Grid Multifamily Program: National Grid gas customers are eligible for techncial assistance and rebates for upgrades to insulation, boilers, furnaces, steam traps, and more.

Incentives for Solar Energy: There are multiple incentives for HDFCs to install solar panels, including federal and state tax credits. Together, these incentives can cover most of a solar array's cost. Check out UHAB's Co-ops Go Solar program for free technical assistance and training to understand your renewable energy options.

Energy Efficiency Training

NYC Retrofit Accelerator Trainings

Hands-On Efficiency Trainings

NYC Retrofit Accelerator’s low-cost, hands-on trainings are aimed at helping you operate your building efficiently, reduce costs, and increase resident comfort. These intensive, interactive settings may be a good option for a crash course in energy efficient building operation!

You will learn how to:

• Diagnose energy and water efficiency challenges
• Implement no- to low-cost energy solutions on your own
• Schedule and prioritize projects​
• Find funding and incentives to help pay for projects

Heating and Air Sealing: 2 days - $50

Water Conservation and Plumbing: 1 day - $25

Energy Efficiency Electrical: 1 day - $25

Classes meet at Solar One Lab, 29-76 Northern Blvd., Long Island City (Queens) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m and are held several times a year. Check here for more information or for upcoming training dates.