2022 Energy Efficiency Grades Available on DOB NOW
By Katherine Baerga
Is your property on the Department of Buildings (DOB) 2023 NYC Benchmarking Covered Building List? If so, don’t forget to print out your latest Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label, available for download on the DOB NOW Public Portal. The labels, which feature energy efficiency letter grades for calendar year 2022, must be posted by Tuesday, October 31, in a visible location by each public building entrance.
Energy Grades – LL 33 of 2018 and LL 95 of 2019
Local Law 33 of 2018 added energy efficiency scores and grades for buildings covered under the NYC Benchmarking Law, which applies to buildings that exceed 25,000 square feet and to multiple buildings on a lot with a total square footage of at least 100,000. A building’s energy efficiency score corresponds to the Energy Star Rating generated by the Energy Star Portfolio Manager, an online benchmarking tool administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Energy Star Portfolio Manager compares the energy performance of a building to similar structures in similar climates.
Local Law 95 of 2019 amended LL 33 of 2018 to update energy grades as follows:
- A – Energy Star efficiency score of 85 or greater
- B – Energy Star efficiency score of 70 to 84
- C – Energy Star efficiency score of 55 to 69
- D – Energy Star efficiency score below 55
- F – Assigned to buildings that did not submit required benchmarking information
- N – Assigned to exempt buildings or those not covered by the Energy Star program
Energy labels include both the letter grade and the energy efficiency score of the building.
Benchmarking Compliance Requirements
Owners of buildings included on the annual Covered Buildings List must comply with the following timelines:
May 1. Submit benchmarking data for the previous calendar year using the Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
October 1-31. Download and print the Building Energy Efficiency Rating, published by the DOB on October 1.
October 31. Display the current label in a visible location by every public entrance.
Energy Efficiency Rating Label Guidelines
Follow these guidelines when printing and displaying the energy labels.
- The label can be printed on letter-sized (8½” x 11”) paper.
- DOB recommends printing the label in color, but grayscale is also acceptable.
- Framing and/or laminating the label is preferred but not required. All information included in the label should remain clearly visible for the entire year.
- Once printed, the label must be visible to the public, displayed either internally or externally in a conspicuous location near each public entrance.
- The label must be posted between four and six feet from the ground or floor.
- The label must not be damaged, camouflaged, or hidden from public view.
- The label must be replaced annually with the latest version.
Non-Compliance Penalties
Building owners who fail to print the energy label—or to post the label as required—may face a civil penalty of $1,250.
If you have any questions, please contact Metropolis Group at 212.233.6344.