New York City & State Energy Code

The required minimum percentage of high efficacy lamps (light bulbs) increased from 75% to 90%.

An ERV or HRV is recommended however there are exceptions for balanced ventilation systems that utilize an exhaust fan and a duct connected to the return side of the air handler. Mechanical ventilation is now required to be tested by an approved agency.

Construction documents required to include documentation of thermal bridges that were not pre-calculated in assembly U-Factors outlined in Appendix A of ASHRAE 90.1-2016.

Required that all ductwork to be in conditioned space. The ductwork can be located in unconditioned space if all of the following are met.

• The air handler is located in conditioned space.
• The duct leakage is measured to be 1.5 CFM per 100 sq. ft. total leakage when measured at rough or leakage to outside at final.
• The insulation around the duct is equivalent to the insulation specified in the ceiling.

Hot water systems distribution system are required to meet one of four energy efficiency requirements; maximum allowable pipe length, maximum allowable volume, drain water recovery, or recirculation system.

One- or two-family dwellings and townhouses with parking area provided on the building site required to provide a 40-amp outlet in the parking area or panel capacity and conduit for an outlet.

The Energy Reduction Index (ERI) is an alternative pathway for energy code homes required to achieve an ERI of 50 from 54.

Typical envelope assemblies have increased insulation requirements that all project teams should review early in design. Additionally, balconies and parapets are required to have continuous insulation in coordination with the wall assembly that they interrupt OR include an R-3 thermal break.

Fenestration performance increased significantly, and a provision was added increasing the performance even further for fenestration installed 95 feet high and above.

The NYCECC expands on blower door testing requirements for commercial buildings. Now all new construction and additions greater than 10,000 sq. ft. and less than 50,000 sq. ft. and less than 75 feet in height are required to complete blower door testing.

Instances of thermal bridging are required to be clearly indicated in construction documents.

New provisions have been added that require all new buildings over 25,000 sq. ft. and all multifamily buildings with 10,000+ sq. ft. of common space to install measurement devices capable of individually monitoring natural gas, fuel oil, propane, steam, chilled water, and hot water. Additionally, these buildings are required to install a measurement device that can record electrical energy use every 60 minutes.

Lighting power densities have been decreased by approximately 25% to account for the widespread adoption of LEDs.

Lighting control requirements have become more stringent in several ways.

• The timing for automatic shut-off of lights has been decreased from 20 to 15 minutes.
• Egress illumination and corridors are required to include occupancy sensors.
• The threshold for daylight zone controls has been decreased from 150 W installed in the daylight zone to 100W.